The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commended NNPC Ltd. for delivering impactful initiatives particularly the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP).
The minister made the remark during an inspection of the MEPP site on Saturday.
He was accompanied by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye.
Persecondnews reports that the MEPP is a 50MW Integrated Power Project which began on March 2, 2023, consists of two phases: the 32MW Simple Cycle phase, which is already completed and operational, and the remaining 18MW Combined Cycle phase, set to be operational by 2025.
The project aims to address the power supply challenges in Maiduguri and its environs, which have been affected by insurgency.
The minister’s visit to the MEPP site demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in areas affected by conflict.
The project is a testament to the collaboration between the government, NNPC Ltd., and other stakeholders to deliver impactful initiatives that benefit the nation.
Persecondnews recalls that in 2021, NNPC Ltd. announced a plan for the gas-powered plant in April as a long-term solution to the incessant attacks and destruction of power lines by the Boko Haram insurgents, who had frustrated attempts to restore power to the beleaguered city.
In August 2021, the oil company signed an official contract with the CMEC and GE at the ceremony to flag off the project.
Speaking during the inspection, Kyari explained that the move was a result of a presidential directive to provide emergency intervention to the electricity supply to the area.
He assured Maiduguri residents that the project would be delivered on schedule, adding that it would further improve NNPC’s gas utilization efforts for the socio-economic benefit of Nigerians.
“NNPC as an enabler organisation 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 turbines, while Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) has been contracted to China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC),” Kyari said.
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