President Goodluck Jonathan said on Saturday that the his administration would not rest on its oars until it stabilised power supply in the country.
He made the pledge at the inauguration of the rehabilitated Unit 6 and unit 4 of the Egbin thermal plant in Lagos to raise the output of the plant by 220 megawatts
“For government, there is no going back until we surely stabilise power in the country,” the president said.
He said the rehabilitation of the plant had returned Egbin to its full capacity of 1,320 megawatts.
According to him the landmark achievement was happening for the first time since the inception of the plant.
He said the power output would be beneficial to the Lagos industrial layout and its environs while its sustenance would lead to creation of more jobs.
The president added that the power road map of his administration had set out the key foundation needed to remove the obstacles needed in the power sector investment.
He said that stemming from the privatisation of the power sector more dividends had accrued to the nation.
He noted that the feat achieved by the administration would extend the life span of the Egbin plant by another 20 years.
“The Egbin power plant and the result shown today demonstrate without doubt that we have made a strong foundation upon which we are building a sound and sustainable electricity industry.
“Let me restate that we are committed to irreversibly reposition the Nigerian power sector as a pivot for the attainment of our nation’s development targets.”
The president further said that his administration was diversifying the energy source by exploring all the options available to remain the strongest economy in the continent and beyond.
He said that from now and in the future the FG would continue to make the power sector growth become self-sustaining and viable by creating a conducive environment through access to low interest finance and sound policy formulation.
He commended the Board and Management of Egbin and the regulatory bodies for a job well done.
He further urged the host community to partner the power station to conserve the environment and protect the facility.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, noted that since privatisation the power sector had received a new boost to move the nation to the next level.
He said that for 16 years before the advent of the Jonathan administration, no engineer was hired or employed by the operators in the industry but Egbin had hired more than 107 engineers in training.
He said that the revamped units had been moribund for more than nine years while the new company owner invested over N50 billion to revive the plant.
He said that a lot of work was done in the other power generation companies to boost their capacity.
Accordingly, he said, that Kainji dam was raised from 80 mw to additional 150mw with another 330 mw to be injected soon.
He said that Shiroro dam’s 450mw plant had added another 150 megawatts.
He said Ugheli had increased to 600mw from less than 200mw before privatisation.
He also said a minimum of 5,000 megawatts would be added to the grid when the coal turbines across the country were completed.
The chairman of the board of directors of the plant, Mr Kola Adesina, said the management recognised the importance of the plant to improve power when it commenced the revamping exercise.
He praised the Jonathan administration for the CBN power sector intervention fund which had assisted industry operators.
He said over one million homes in Lagos would enjoy additional six hours of power per day, with more than 6,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect employment opened. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Hmm,badluck ebola jonathan alias boko haram we r no more fools again.
ReplyDeleteIt's too late mate. We're tired of empty promises from you lot. All y'all selfish, corrupt, dishonest, lying career-politicians. Change is here. Come March 28 you'll be voted out of office for good. We need that change desperately in Nigeria. It's too late for u going about the country trying to convince and win the people's hearts. Nigerians ain't stupid no more. Enough is enough !!!!
ReplyDeleteWell said alan,
DeleteAlan, if you have ever be a leader, you will know to lead is not a wish. Mostly when you take over mantle of leadership to right the wrongs that pervaded the system. Do you think to revamp light is a day job? Let us learn to appreciate once effort when he do well. Do you also think is saboteurs who are pulling down when one is building up? Abraham
DeleteStory for the gods. We need you to leave not to stabilize anything. You cant even stabilize your home. Nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAll of you APC supporters are mad! How many presidents have taken so many steps on power like GEJ? Don't you know that with these so much steps by privatizations and many plants he is building now, when all are completed will serve the nation right? How many power plants did OBJ or YARADUA build?
ReplyDeleteAm surprised that you are still making promises. In all the 36 states you visited, you promised to do this or do that there so what you are trying to tell us is that you will fulfill all these promises in 4 years time. Again this your promises has shown that you really did nothing for the 6 years you have been President. What you suppose to be saying in all the 36 states you visited is that I will complete this and I will complete that not I will do...... that apparently shows that you haven't started.
ReplyDeleteYou suppose to be pointing out your works in all the 36 states you visited so that they too will see the reason of voting you. Let be realistic even if you win again you will still do nothing and even if you decide to do something time is now limited for you to complete the work. You made mistake of not starting any work since 6 years and some people are supporting you out of sentiments when they can not point to that thing that you have done.
There is only one prayer I have for all GEJ supporters, May God Run your life the way GEJ is running Nigeria say Amen
ReplyDeleteGEJ Supporters! Kindly say Amen to the above prayer........ Bunch of F.
Deleteanonymous 9.22am, I always know it's u dat comment even using anonymous, cos u are ready to die for GEJ, though it's just 6ft sha and b prepare to go wit him by may 29, are u blind wit d level of power dis days, what he didn't over come for 6yrs he wants to restart again, it's either u are d GEJ, okupe, FFK or u are their thugs cos it show u are really benefiting from this administration.
ReplyDeleteWe are no more kids,we have seen the example in your previous leadership. A man that couldn't even control his own state talkless of the hall nation. Go away and give a chance to someone that will bring a better change to our beloved country Nigeria. Sai GMB comes 2015.
DeleteTHAT'S POLITICAL SLOGAN! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IN THE LAST WASTED SIX YEARS YOU'VE BEEN IN CHARGE? GEJ, I FEAR FOR YOU! WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING NOW IS WHAT AL JAZEERA CALLS "COUNTING THE COST" OF FAILURE IN LEADERSHIP! OTUOKE IS WAITING FOR YOU; AND REMEMBER, THE MILITANTS ARE WAITING TO RECEIVE THEIR OWN SHARE OF THE LOOT; AND YOU'LL STILL BE MADE TO GIVE ACCOUNT TO THE NATION AFTER THE 28 MARCH4BUHARI ELECTION! NIGERIANS HAVE REJECTED YOU! CHANGE!
ReplyDeleteGood talk all except the fools.We have decided to vote GMB.Enough of wastages.
ReplyDeleteThere is time for everything.Your time to stabilize anything is over.Your name would have been written in Gold if u had done the right things at the right time.Just leave Gmb will stabilize our electricity that u used 6yrs to fix wihout result.
ReplyDeleteThere is only one prayer I have for all GEJ supporters, May God Run your life the way GEJ is running Nigeria say Amen
ReplyDelete