NDPHC moves to revive 20-year Akwa Ibom power project

MDCEO, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije. | Credit: Dare Olawin.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited has renewed efforts to revive the 330kV Ikot Abasi Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State, nearly two decades after the project was awarded under the National Integrated Power Projects programme.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, disclosed this during a recent visit to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, where she sought the state government’s intervention to resolve the community and compensation issues delaying the project.

In a statement by the company, the project was awarded in 2006, but Adighije said outstanding community and wayleave issues had become the principal obstacle to its completion.

According to her, the latest valuation of the outstanding wayleave obligations put the cost of resolving the issues at slightly below N4bn, while the contractor, Anit Energy, had reportedly completed about 90 per cent of the engineering, procurement and construction work.

Adighije said substantial project materials, including conductors and tower members worth millions of dollars, had already been deployed along the project corridor between Adiasim and Ikot Ekpene but were lying across several communities due to the prolonged impasse.

“We are, therefore, pleading for your kind intervention as a shareholder and board member of the company,” Adighije told the governor. She expressed optimism that Eno’s intervention would enable the contractor to return to site and complete the project.

The NDPHC boss said the company was targeting the commissioning of the transmission line before May 29, 2027, subject to the successful resolution of the outstanding issues.

Adighije also noted that NDPHC was committed to supporting the development of Akwa Ibom State, particularly as increasing investments in hospitality, commerce and industry would drive higher electricity demand.

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She disclosed that NDPHC had commenced engagement with the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission following the establishment of the state electricity regulator.

The managing director stressed that the commission had recently visited NDPHC and requested details of projects executed by the company in Akwa Ibom, while a joint working group had been established to explore ways of unlocking the potential of the assets and extending electricity access to underserved communities.

Responding, Eno welcomed the NDPHC initiative and pledged to present the matter to the state executive council to determine the appropriate support the state government could provide towards resolving the outstanding issues.

The governor said the state would examine the matter in detail and explore avenues for intervention to ensure that the long-delayed project moves forward.

The revival of the 330kV transmission line is expected to strengthen electricity infrastructure in Akwa Ibom and support the state’s expanding industrial, commercial and hospitality activities.