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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012
Obi said he was impressed by what he saw but stated that there was need to define things properly so as to know when each stage of the work would be completed and when the entire project would be finished
Obi steps up power partnership
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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has taken steps to end the state’s electricity challenges and grow its economy. The state is reckoned to be the country’s industrial hub, but unsteady power, a common issue nationwide, has hobbled its progress. Obi wants to let the state’s industrial engines run at full throttle by ensuring stable power supply. He said constant electricity, guaranteed by an independent power plant, will create jobs and grow the economy. The governor expressed concern that the industries in Onitsha and Nnewi, as well as other parts of the state, have not been operating at full capacity, a situation he said he will change by partnering with reputable power firms. The quest has taken him and a state state government team to Bahrain, where extensive work has been going on in the construction of the state’s power barges. Also the governor is negotiating with two other companies that will generate 260 MW from the state’s IPP, which will be located in Onitsha. Involved in the Bahrain pact were the Senior Management of Arab Shipbuilding and Repairs Yard Company (ASRY); the delegation from Centrax Ltd, UK, the oldest gas turbines company in the world, formed 65 years ago; and the delegation from Eaglefin Structures Finance Mauritius LTD. While conducting the delegation round their facilities, the Chief Executive of Arab Shipbuilding and Repairs Yard Company (ASRY), Mr. Chris Potter assured on the quality of the barges, which he said will be comprehensively tested before shipment to Anambra. The Director of Centrax Ltd, a privately owned turbine industry, Mr. Guy West, added that the barges will meet international standards. Responding, Governor Obi said he was impressed by what he saw but stated that there was need to define things properly as to know when each stage of the work would be completed and when the entire project would be finished.
From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi
The state has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a consortium of investors to build a 260 Megawatts power plant. The project is estimated to cost 350m dollars and will be sited at the bank of the River Niger. The signing ceremony took place in the Exco Chambers of the Government House, Awka. Governor Obi signed for the state government, Chief Dennis Okafor signed for Denca Services Limited; the project sponsor, Mr. Russel Schwartz signed for Eagle Finance Structured Consortium of South Africa while Mr. Daniel Oshiogwemde signed for the Stanbic IBTC Bank. Mr Noel Guy was part of the team. Obi said with adequate power supply, the state economy would compete with any in the world. He explained that the project, when completed, will serve the high concentration of industries and businesses in Onitsha, Nnewi and other parts of the state, especially as more multi-national corporations are siting their facilities in the state. The governor assured that the government will support the consortium to complete the project on schedule and according to specifications. The Commissioner for Public Utility, Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Emeka Nwankwu said the project was in line with the drive to make the state one of the strongest economy in the country. Mr Nwankwu further said: “We are planning to build a 120 mega power plant under private public participation arrangement,” he said. He said the governor is also discussing with geo-Metrics in Aba, Abia state to see the possibilities of taking power from their generating plant to supply the industries and companies in Nnewi. His words: “In transmission we are also trying to see how we can assist Power Holding Company of Nigeria. We have allocated land to them at Ifitedunu, in Dunukofia for
•From left: Governor Peter Obi in a handshake with Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Chairman of Arab Shipping and Repairs Company in Bahrain. With them is Chief Dennis Okafor the building of A substation. In the area of distribution, we have set out to provide about 200 transformers. We have started with 50 pieces which will be handed over to the PHCN soon. It will be used in some areas that have no power supply. They include part of Anambra East, West, Ayamelum, Orumba North, South, Amanuke in Awka-North, Izinakato, Ndiokpalaeke, among others.” “The second phase will be to upgrade facilities in some areas with increased populations. We are importing transformers of different sizes, 500KVA, 300KVA, 200KVA. The state government last year spent over N300 million on rural electrification projects. For this year, we have budgeted N1.4 billion. The project sponsor, Chief Dennis
•Alhaji AbduRazak Asaju assisted by the Amir (President) Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen (right) to present gift to AbdulGaniy Anjorin, winner of the Quranic Competition in Lagos. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA
Okafor, thanked Governor Obi for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state while another partner, Mr. Schwartz said arrangements for the gas turbine have been concluded. The government’s interest in the IPP is to enable Onitsha and Nnewi as well as other cities in the state have concentrated energy supply. The visit to Bahrain was part of the state’s plan to realise that vision. Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Valentine Obienyem, a lawyer, informed that his boss believes that local industries cannot compete effectively with other sectors unless necessary infrastructure such as power, water, security of lives and property, communication and roads are available. He said the Obi administration has spent billions of naira to boost infrastructure. The governor has been praised for his infrastructural renewal projects and the IPP plan.
NEMA links fire outbreaks to negligence
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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has observed that over 90 per cent of fire outbreaks in Nigeria are caused by human negligence. Ther agency said this could be prevented through changing the value, cultures and practices of the people through well-thought-out re-orientation. Speaking at a one-day workshop organised by NEMA in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the South West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande described fire outbreak as the greatest human-induced disaster. He added that its impact was always devastating because of its tendency to completely destroy, in a few minutes, what someone has taken years to build. Akande, who was represented by the Principal Relief Officer of NEMA, Mrs. Bolanle Ojo noted that the workshop aimed at creating awareness on fire prevention and mitigation measures in order to build a culture of safety consciousness among authorities and communities at different levels. She further said that the programme was aimed at enlightening members of the society to be proactive in reducing and preventing fire disasters. He argued that experience has also shown that the incidences and intensity of damage and losses are more
From Damisi Ojo, Akure
during the dry season. Akande, however, said the best fire-fighting technique is prevention and to prevent a fire outbreak is to create awareness among the people. He said: “Fire outbreak has remained a major disaster not only in Nigeria but the world over. Some of these outbreaks have been linked with electrical as a result of power surges. In recent past, so many lives and properties worth billions of Naira have been lost to uncontrolled fire in the country. “In addition to loss of lives and properties, there are incalculable indirect fiscal losses that results in unemployment, reduced property values and loss of business income. There is usually no warning as to when a fire outbreak may occur. “However, experience has shown that the incidences and intensity of damage and losses are more during the dry season. “To this end, the best agent for attitudinal change is sensitisation and awareness. Therefore, efforts would be made, through the resource persons, to emphasise on measures and procedures for mitigating fire outbreak through early detection and prompt response. This will help in saving lives and minimise losses.”