The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday held the groundbreaking ceremony of the Maiduguri and environs emergency power project (MEPP) in Borno State.
NNPC Group managing director Mele Kyari explained that the project was as a result of a presidential directive to provide emergency intervention to the electricity supply disruptions facing Maiduguri and environs as a result of incessant activities of insurgents.
Mr Kyari therefore assured the governor Prof Babagana Zulum and the people of Maiduguri that the project will be delivered on schedule.
He said the project would further improve NNPC’s gas utilisation 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 Turbine, while Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) has been contracted to China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC),” Kyari stated.
The NNPC boss noted that the project would be a model for other cities across the country.
Zulum described the development as the happiest day of his life and a huge relief to the people of Maiduguri, who have been without power supply for nine months.
He noted that NNPC’s commercial investments in the 50mw combined gas power plant will ultimately increase energy supply level to Maiduguri and environs, thereby impacting the state’s economy positively, when completed.
“I assure you that as government, we will provide the much-needed security to ensure that this high pressure-scheduled project is completed on cost, scope and quality,” Zulum added.
The NNPC signed an official contract on the project in August.
Maiduguri has been without power supply since January 2021 as a result of the activities of insurgents who have severally blown up transmission lines.
