Solution to power problem not in sight -Ngige
On November 8, 2011 · In News





BY VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA— SENATOR Chris Ngige has attributed the continued epileptic power supply in the country to the poor handling of the sector by the immediate past administration in the country, even after huge sums of money were spent.

He also expressed fears that what was on ground did not give any hope that the problem would be over soon.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Ngige, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Power and Steel Development, observed that no power plant in the country was functioning at its optimal level, noting that Kainji and Shiroro Dams were underutilized.

He added that the little improvement noticed was due to the efforts of some private companies that channelled their excess power to the national grid.

Ngige, who represents Anambra Central senatorial zone, said: “Many power projects were awarded in 2000 and 2001 and over 80% of them have not been executed.

“The existing power stations are not producing at their full capacity. For instance, Kainji Dam has its two chambers unutilized. Even the transmission lines cannot carry the heavy output expected to be generated by the various on–going power projects in the country.

“Many containers that brought in power components could not be cleared because the then government did not provide the money for clearing them, which made the Nigeria Customs to auction 22 of the containers for staying beyond the allowed period at the ports.

“When we discovered this, the Senate Committee on Power and Steel Development had to give a marching order to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, that the containers must be recovered.

“We found out that some of the containers were already in the market and through our efforts, 17 have been recovered so that the owners could use the materials for the projects they are executing across the country.”

He also explained that the senate would ensure that the little power being generated currently was equitably distributed, adding that the committee would soon tour all the power stations in the country to ascertain the situation of things, with a view to finding the way forward.

The senator said it was to ensure stability in the system that informed the committee’s support for 50% increase in the pay of PHCN workers, just as he said that senate was making efforts to discourage casualization in the power sector.

He also said the senate had insisted that the arbitrary billing system must stop, adding that pre-paid metre should be made available to every electricity consumer.

Ngige, however, reminded Nigerians that they had to pay for the power they consumed, adding that senate has directed PHCN to make available a comprehensive list of debtor consumers for deduction of tariffs of such establishments at source.

…Says Indians carted away steel components from Nigeria
BY VINCENT UJUMADU

SENATOR Chris Ngige also revealed in Awka, weekend, that private investors from India who won the bid for the nation’s steel companies have been taking out of the country some of the equipment, instead of making efforts to ensure the completion of the projects.

He told reporters that though the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State had consumed a whopping $7 billion, with the completion level still at 88%, it was discovered that the company was privatised at a give away price to the Indian investors.

He said the investors had been removing sensitive components of the company out of Nigeria which, according to him, is an indication that they did not want the steel industry to function in Nigeria.

Ngige, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Power and Steel Development, said senators were even amazed that the Indian investors had to drag Nigeria to a London court over the issue of steel development in the country.

“We are still studying the case file to know the next step to take,” he said, assuring Nigerians that the senate was determined to bring back to life all the moribund steel companies in the country without undue delay.



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/solution-to-power-problem-not-in-sight-ngige/

this is just sad, especially d Ajaokuta part. so sad.

Thanks for being HAW-nest witi H-US!
No need to re-locate to Nigeria anytime soon.
Gawd bless J-Americo! My home sweeeeet home!!!