The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has assured that his government will ensure the security of workers and protection for the Maiduguri & Environs Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
The Governor gave the assurance at the ground-breaking ceremony of the power project, which he described as the happiest day of his life and a huge relief to the people of Maiduguri, who have been without power supply for nine months.
According to the Governor, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC’s) commercial investments in the 50MW combined gas power plant will ultimately increase energy supply level to Maiduguri and environs, thereby impacting the state’s economy positively, when completed.
He said the Borno State Government will do everything possible to ensure that maximum security of lives and property are guaranteed for the project implementation team and residents of the state.
“I assure you that as government, we will provide the much-needed security to ensure that this high pressure-scheduled project is completed on cost, scope and quality,” Governor Zulum added.
NNPC as an enabler organization is committed to the delivery of this project within schedule, and has already awarded the contract to General Electric Global (GE) for the supply of Gas Turbine, while Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) has been contracted to China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC).
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mele Kyari, explained that the project was as a result of a Presidential directive to provide emergency intervention to the electricity supply disruptions facing Maiduguri, and environs as a result of incessant activities of insurgents.
The GMD therefore assured the Governor and the people of Maiduguri that the project will be delivered on schedule, and further improve NNPC’s gas utilization efforts for the socio-economic benefit of Nigerians.
“NNPC as an enabler organization is committed to the delivery of this project within schedule, and has already awarded the contract to General Electric Global (GE) for the supply of Gas Turbine, while Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) has been contracted to China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC),” Kyari was quoted in a statement.
He added that the project would be a model for other cities across the country.
Maiduguri has been without power supply since January 2021, as a result of the activities of insurgents who have blown up transmission lines on at least two occasions.
In August 2021, the NNPC signed an official contract with the CMEC and GE on the project. The ground-breaking ceremony signifies the official commencement of the project as the contractors have since moved to site.
Access to power is seen as being at the heart of achieving many of these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in regards to energy transition and environment protection.
