Energy supply in the country yesterday received a boost with the commissioning of Phase 1 of the Alaoji Poweŕ Plant located at Umuobasi Ukwu in Aba, Abia State, by President Goodluck Jonathan.

With the commissioning of the 504.4 First Phase of the 1,074 megawatts combined cycle Alaoji Power Plant, the total energy available in Nigeria now stands at 5, 500 megawatts.

Power from the plant would be evacuated to the national grid through Alaoji-Owerri-Nnewi-Onitsha power lines as well as the Alaoji-Ikot Ekpene 330 KV double circuit lines currently under construction.

Similarly, power from the Alaoji plant would also be evacuated through the new Ikot Ekpene sub-station to Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State, as well as Ugwuaji power station in Enugu to Benue and Plateau states.

Commissioning the plant, which holds the prospects for improved power supply to the commercial city of Aba, President Jonathan expressed optimism that it would boost industrial and economic activities in the South-East and adjoining states.

Jonathan, who described power as key to the development of the economy, was full of joy that the project, almost truncated by an adverse report from the National Assembly, has come on stream. He assured that the second phase would soon be completed.

The President said the NASS report was rather critical that he personally embarked on a fact-finding tour of the project as Vice President, only to discover that facts on ground were in sharp contrast with the report.

An elated Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, heaped praises on Jonathan for according the project the priority it deserved, adding that its realisation would fast- track industrial revolution in the South-East zone.

The governor also commended the federal government for assisting tremendously in eradicating kidnapping, which almost stalled the project when insecurity pervaded Abia.

Addressing the audience, Minister of Power, Professor Onyebuchi Nebo, noted that Jonathan’s exploits in the power sector remained unprecedented since the history of Nigeria. He pointed out that four of the 10 National Integrated Power Projects awarded since 2005 have already been completed and inaugurated by Mr. President.

Nebo promised that the remaining six NIPP projects would be realised before the end of the year.

The minister explained that the Jonathan administration inherited about 3,000 megawatts of electricity, which it has increased to 5,500 megawatts in its efforts to improve electricity supply in the country.

He said that, in addition, 300 rural electricity projects executed by the Rural Electrification Agency nationwide were ready for inauguration.

Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, builders of Alaoji plant, Mr. James Olotu, commended the President for giving indigenous engineers the opportunity to showcase their engineering prowess in handling the project.

President Jonathan also visited a private power plant sited in Aba and owned by a immediate past Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, and expressed satisfaction with the level of work already done.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, were among dignitaries in the President’s entourage.

•Photo shows President Jonathan commissioning the project the Alaoji Power Plant . . . yesterday in Aba.

Update news