Senator Ned Nwoko Hold Close Door Meeting With TCN Management Over Okpai IPP Project

…TCN Management Promised To Commence Work Soon

Determination is taking a bold step with sacrifice of time and leadership is taking democratic and patriotic responsibility for the good of the people as servant of the people.

Yesterday been 5th of December, 2024 was like one of the best day ever since the pursuit of the IPP project commencement by the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, while having a closed door meeting with the executive director of Transmission Service Provider Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye and others.

“The resilient and leadership responsibility of the most Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko captivated the minds of the entire TSP/TCN Management to work with the Senator heart to heart for the commencement of the IPP project as the management honored the invitation of the most Distinguished Senator to his office at the National Assembly.

“During the cause of the close door meeting with the Executive director and others, it was clearly stated that the Okpai IPP Project was stampeded as a result of the major contractor’s inability to execute the project based on lack of funds.

On March 19, 2018, TCN awarded the IPP Projects to a Chinese Company called Xinjiang Power Transmission and Transformation Company Limited for the construction of 1×150MVA, 330/132KV and 1×60MVA 132/33kv Substation with completion period of twenty-four months (24) from commencement date of the projects.

“It was further disclosed during the cause of the meeting with the Senator that a Letter of Credit (LC) was opened and funded and 15% Advance Payments (both foreign and local) was paid to the contractors to commence the projects, but the progress of the works was slow and later stalled based on lack of funds and other related issues.

After formal introduction of the TCN Management Team, they gave brief updated reports on the current status of the contracts and the reasons why the Chinese Company abscond the works.

“According to the TCN Management having interrogated the Chinese firm handling the projects they outlined the project status and the reasons why both the works stalled:

1. The Chinese company confirmed the Letter of Credit has been opened/funded fully and 15% Advance Payments have been collected (both local and foreign)

2. The anchor bolts/nuts for the Substations Gantries have been delivered to Nigeria for equipment foundations.

3. The wall fencing of Kwale Substation have been completed while the sand filling at Okpai substation site have been stopped by the Delta State Government who finally took responsibility and sponsored the works (not included in the contract). This was confirmed by phone call to the local contractor through phone call.

4. The main contractor complaint of some terms stipulated in the joint venture agreement entered with the local contractor for the supply of equipment including the power transformers. It is indicated that one particular company from India will supply the equipment which currently the main contractor cannot afford. And, with the nowadays high prices (citing cost of cupper as an example) they cannot be able to handle that. For them to continue with the project it will require additional funds (or variation)

Having heard their challenges, the distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko assured them of his commitment and support to get that project started and completed for the good of his people.

“The entire team including the executive director of the transmission service provider (TSP) Engr. Ajiboye Gbenga was very excited to commend the resilient of the distinguished senator over his doggedness, sagacity, democratic antecedent and determination to see the project commenced as soon as possible.

“The management of TCN also reassured the Senator of their total commitment to work with him in openness as they proceed hopefully for the commencement of the project having done some critical analysis on the project cost.

“It was further disclosed by the Management of TCN that the Chinese company Xinjiang Power Transmission and Transformation Company Limited agreed to continue the project, but requested for variation and TCN agreed and had ask the contractor to write for justification that warrant the proceeding/approval of the variation.

Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye further said with the commitment of the Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, TCN will intervene on the issues facing the projects within his jurisdiction to further action the process.

He also disclosed that the contractor will meet their embassy for the issuance of Work Permit to the Staff representative in Nigeria when the job is ready to commence.

“The management of TCN confidently told the Senator based on his patriotic push for this projects to commence, that they will ensure in collaboration with the Chinese contractor to unveil the commencement date of the Okpai gas plant projects which shall be unveiled on or before 25th December, 2024.

“In response to their collaborating willingness to work with the most distinguished Senator, he gave them 100% assurance to support them in all ramifications and made them to understand his people had suffered enough darkness that whatever it takes to get that project started if possible this year, he’s totally committed. He categorically told the TCN management that the Okpai IPP project is now or never.