Nelson Utip
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd, NDPHC, is about to revive the 330kV Ikot Abasi Transmission Line almost two decades after contract was awarded. The company has renewed efforts to resolve the community and other challenges that have stalled the strategic power infrastructure project.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
The MD requested for the state government’s intervention to unlock the long-running project and facilitate its completion.
She said the outstanding community and compensation-related issues had become the principal obstacle to the project, which was awarded in 2006 as part of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) programme.
Adighije disclosed that the last valuation of the outstanding wayleave obligations put the cost of resolving the issues at slightly below N4 billion and the project contractor, Anit Energy, has reportedly completed about 90 per cent of the engineering, procurement and construction procurement.
The MD also said that substantial project materials including conductors and tower members worth millions of dollars had already been deployed to the project corridor between Adiasim and Ikot Ekpene, but were currently lying across several communities because of the prolonged impasse.
“We are therefore pleading for your kind intervention as a shareholder and board member of the company.” Adighije told the governor while expressing optimism that his intervention would enable the contractor to return to site and complete the project.
The MD further said that the company’s objective was not merely to revive the project but to commission the long-delayed transmission line before May 29, 2027, subject to the successful resolution of the outstanding issues.
The delegation commended Governor Umo Eno for the development recorded across Akwa Ibom State, particularly in hospitality, commerce and industry, they noted that the expanding investment base would inevitably stimulate electricity demand.
According to Adighije, NDPHC, as a government interventionist agency and a major backbone of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, remained committed to bridging critical gaps across the generation, transmission and distribution segments of the power value chain.
She also congratulated the governor on the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and disclosed that NDPHC had already commenced engagement with the commission on the development of appropriate electricity-market frameworks for the state.
According to her, the commission had recently visited NDPHC and requested details of projects executed by the company in Akwa Ibom State, with a joint working group now focused on unlocking the potential of those assets and extending electricity access to underserved communities in line with the governor’s ARISE Agenda.
In his speech during the visit, NDPHC Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial, Patrick Obahiagbon, congratulated Governor Eno on what he described as the administration’s visible development achievements.
Obahiagbon commended the governor for combining political strength with humility and for navigating the state’s diverse political interests while maintaining stability.
He likened the governor’s approach to “a locomotive engine moving ceaselessly”, noting that the results of his administration’s activities were increasingly becoming visible across the state.
In his response , Governor Eno welcomed NDPHC’s initiative and pledged to take the matter before the State Executive Council to determine the appropriate support the state government could provide towards resolving the outstanding issues. He promised to partner with NDPHC to ensure steady supply of electricity on the state.
