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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

Reps move to revive abandoned Akwa Ibom power project

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Nigeria's National Assembly is collaborating with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to revive the abandoned 330kV Double Circuit Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi Transmission Line Project.
  • The project, stalled for over six years due to funding and community issues, is considered a strategic national asset crucial for strengthening the electricity grid and boosting economic growth.
  • Lawmakers inspected the site and pledged to resolve the constraints, emphasizing the need to ensure public investments deliver value to Nigerians.

The Nigerian National Assembly is set to collaborate with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to overcome obstacles hindering the completion of the 330kV Double Circuit Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi Transmission Line Project in Akwa Ibom State. The project has been abandoned for more than six years, despite substantial public investment.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets conducted an inspection of the project site. Lawmakers met with NDPHC officials, the contractor Anita Energy, and host community leaders to assess the work completed and discuss the challenges. The committee, led by Chairman Ademorin Kuye, pledged to address funding constraints and lingering community disputes that have delayed the transmission line's completion.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has pledged to work with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to resolve funding constraints and lingering community issues delaying the completion of the abandoned 330kV Double Circuit Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi Transmission Line Project (Lot 18T).

— Statement from NDPHC Corporate Communication and External RelationsThe statement detailed the committee's commitment following their site inspection.

Lawmakers emphasized that the transmission line is a vital national asset. Once completed, it is expected to significantly strengthen the electricity grid, improve power supply to industries and households, and stimulate economic development not only in Akwa Ibom State but also in neighboring regions. The committee's visit is part of a broader investigation into abandoned federal projects aimed at ensuring public funds yield tangible benefits for citizens.

Ademorin Kuye stated that the committee observed several strategic infrastructure projects that have been left incomplete despite considerable investment. The goal is to ensure these investments are not wasted and that the projects are revived to serve their intended purpose of enhancing electricity supply and fostering economic growth across the affected states.

In the course of our investigation into government assets and projects, we observed that some have been abandoned over the years despite the huge investments committed to them. We felt those investments should not

— Ademorin KuyeThe Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets explained the motivation behind the inspection and investigation.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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