Delta plans to improved Asaba power supply with 8.5 mega watts IPP

·         Dispels rumour on mass layoffs in tertiary institutions

·                     ZOPAC gets nod to provide revenue cycle mgt., consultancy service to state govt.

·                     Ukah urges patience, calm over Fulani herdsmen menace   

Asaba, the capital city of Delta state will soon enjoy improved power supply with the approval by the state executive council on Tuesday for the development of an 8.5 mega watts integrated Power Plant.

The state government made this known to journalists at a post executive council meeting briefing by some members of the cabinet led by the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah.

Mr. Sinebe, making a point at the post-exco meeting. With him are Mr. Ukah,
Barr. Safugha, and Mr. Aguonye.

At the briefing, the commissioners also dispelled speculations of an impending retrenchment in tertiary institutions in the state, describing the information and rumour, pointing out however, that what government had done was to advise officials who are due for retirement to begin preparation towards the day when their services will officially end in accordance with stipulated laws. inevitable

The Delta State Government, has endorsed plans to boost power supply in Asaba and environs, Delta State Government by approving the development of a 8.5 mega watts Integrated Power Project [IPP] for the Asaba capital territory through Public-Private Partnership, even as the Government has dismissed claims of a rumored mass retrenchment in tertiary institutions, claiming that it had only advised those due for retirement to start preparing for the day when their services would officially come to an end as stipulated by law.

At the briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting (EXCO) presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Commissioner For Information, Mr. Parick Ukah flanked by his colleagues, Barrister New-world Safugha [Power], Engr. Jude Sinebe [Higher Education] and Chief James Aguoye [Works], announced that EXCO approved the development of an Integrated Power Plant project in Asaba through public- private partnership with Bastan-Cherry Power Solutions Limited to generate 8.5 mega watts to power government establishments, estates and infrastructure.

Ukah said the project was in fulfillment of the government’s campaign promises, and would be developed in conjunction with a private investor, Messrs. Bastan Cherry Power Solutions Limited to improve power supply in Asaba and environs, stressing that government would only provide guarantee to utilize the 8.5MVA generated for a period of 10 years.

Mr. Safugha, Commissioner For Power, on his part, stated that the project would be delivered in the next nine months, barring any unforeseen hitchs, pointing out that the project will benefit Deltans immensely as it will not only generate jobs for the youths, but also reduce electricity tariffs paid by government and ensure improved power supply to other areas in the state. He explained that the power plant would power government offices, estates and infrastructure, and in turn free the power consumed presently by these institutions to be channeled to other areas that experience epileptic or even non-existent power supply in Asaba in.

Mr. Ukah also affirmed that other decisions reached by the Delta Exco included the appointment of Messrs. ZOPAC Consulting Limited to provide Revenue Cycle Management and Consultancy Services [RCMCS] to the state government; the Public Private Partnership for hostel development in the state owned tertiary institutions; the Construction/Rehabilitation of the 5.12km Edgborode –Elume Road and the Kwale Township Roads and Drainage in Sapele and Ndokwa West Local Government areas respectively and the infrastructural development and supply of furniture to some selected schools in the state.

He noted that the appointment of Messers Zopac Consulting Limited to provide Revenue Cycle Management and Consultancy Services (RCMCS) would help government block loopholes existing in revenue collection in the state as well as generate enough money for governance, even as he confirmed that the appointment of revenue consultants would not conflict with the functions of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, which, he said remains the statutory Board set up by Government to handle all revenue issues in the state.

Answering questions on the alleged retirement of staff of tertiary institutions in the state, Engr. Sinebe, Commissioner for Higher Education, explained that his Ministry only asked those who have attained the official retirement age to commence preparations to proceed on retirement, stating that the circular they relied on to stay beyond the stipulated retirement age had not been domesticated in the state as it has not passed through the House of Assembly process for approval.

He revealed that the process for its revalidation and domestication in the state was on going, but lamented that there were several administrative and academic issues in the tertiary institutions, especially in the areas of promotions and remunerations that require drastic and radical measures to address in order to bring sanity and order to the processes, and ensure that tertiary institutions in the state are properly managed and equipped with adequate personnel, structures and facilities once they get certification from the necessary regulatory authorities.

Responding to a recent demonstration by local vigilantes in Asaba, who had blocked the Onitsha/Benin expressway in protest over the unrestrained menace of insecurity to people and gory results of the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in Delta State, Mr. Ukah noted that it was a security issue which the Federal Government was tackling robustly. He called for a more critical and objective reappraisal of the Grazing Bill which is presently before the National Assembly, and pleaded with Nigerians to be calm, patient and law abiding under the present circumstances, even as he expressed optimism that the matter would soon be resolved to the satisfaction of all Nigerians.