PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on
Saturday commissioned the 220 MegaWatts capacity plants belonging to Egbin
Generation company Plc, Lagos, assuring Nigerians that inadequate power supply
will soon be a thing of the past.
“Since I launched Power Roadmap
in 2010, I have been encouraged with the progress so far. Very soon, the issue
of poor power supply will be over,” he said.
Jonathan stated further that
adequate power supply remains a catalyst to economic development.
“We are not going backward, we
must stabilise power supply. That is why we are happy that Egbin power plant is
operating at full capacity of 1320 MW with the restoration of Unit 06 which has
been moribund for the past eight years.
“Moreover, the plan to expand the
capacity by 50 per cent in the next four years by the management will also
expand the lifespan of the power plant by another 20 years.
“We are committed to irreversible
development of the power sector. We are going ahead to improve the energy mix
because we cannot be the largest economy in Africa without stable power,” he
stated.
Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu
Nebo, emphasised that privatisation of the power sector has resulted in the
employment of over 2000 engineers.
“Over 2000 engineers have been
hired since private investors took over. 16 years before President Jonathan
came to office, no single engineer was employed. The sector he inherited was
dilapidated.
“Within few years of taking over,
you (Jonathan) have also revived the National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs).
We celebrate with you,” he stated.
Chairman of Egbin Generation
Company, Kola Adesina in his remarks stated that his company has invested over
N50 billion so far to bring the power company to full capacity.
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