Ndifreke P. AKPAN
Governor Udom Emmanuel has described the new power plant project billed to commence at the onshore of the Qua Iboe terminal in Ibeno as another investment in prosperity and wealth creation in Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Emmanuel spoke while receiving in audience, a team from BlackRhino and Dangote Group who in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and other consultants, are behind the proposed 570MW Gas Fire and Power Plant Qua Iboe Power Plant Projects(QIPP).
According to our Government House reporter, the Governor said the African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank are to provide finances for the project, maintaining that Exxon Mobil is in a joint venture with NNPC to provide gas for the power plant.
He said as the host and major stakeholder who was eager to witness the realization of the investments, he was committed to ensuring the security of the investment, cooperation of the host communities and the benefits to the economy of the state.
Governor Emmanuel said he is targeting September for commencement of full construction based on the indices, and expressed satisfaction that the major bottlenecks to its realization have been cleared.
“It is a project that has been in the pipelines overtime and we are just at the realization of this project. That is why you see us meeting and trying to drop timelines on what we want to achieve within a short period, especially within the next critical period of six weeks,” the Governor added.
Speaking, Mr Brian Herlihy, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of BlackRhino spoke glowingly of Governor Emmanuel as good leader who knows his job as well as the job of financing a complex project as the power project.
He said they were comfortable investing in the over N1.1bn project in partnership with Dangote and NNPC because of the trust they have in the leadership of Governor Emmanuel.
Mr Brian said he was using a combined cycle technology with General Electric Equipment and was happy that the gas supply from Onshore and Offshore will make their power development project more exciting.
Savouring their warm reception by the Governor, he said they are coming to the state as development partners for the next 20years and more.
He said that over 12,000 workers are expected to be engaged in the project during the peak of construction, explaining that each job created generates 10 indirect jobs.
Present at the meeting were Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Dean of Commissioners, Dr Glory Edet, Commissioner for Transport amd Petroluem Resources, Hon. Orman Esin, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong and Special Assistant to the Governor on Power, Engr. Meyene Etukudo.
