The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), Jennifer Adighije, has called for a presidential intervention to resolve the severe liquidity crisis affecting the power sector. She emphasized that the intervention should begin with settling the over N4 trillion owed to Generating Companies and securing funding for ongoing projects aimed at improving electricity access nationwide.
Adighije made this appeal while hosting the House Committee on Power, led by Chairman Victor Nwokolo, during a site inspection of the Egbema National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) Power Plant. The Egbema Power Plant is a significant project under the National Integrated Power Project, which was first initiated in 2004 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to a statement issued by the NDPHC’s General Manager for Communication & Public Relations, Olufunke Nwankwo, the inspection aimed to assess the progress of the ongoing project and discuss the challenges facing both the plant and the broader power sector.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Jennifer Adighije welcomed the House Committee to the site, where she provided an update on the plant’s status. She highlighted that the project consists of three generating units with a combined installed capacity of 375 MW. The project was awarded to CMEC China Machinery Engineering Company in 2023, with a completion target set for the end of the year. Adighije assured the committee that NDPHC is closely monitoring progress to ensure timely completion and reiterated the company’s commitment to realizing the President’s vision of providing reliable and affordable electricity, positioning NDPHC as the backbone of Nigeria’s power sector.
Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Victor Nwokolo commended the NDPHC management for their proactive efforts in reviving the Egbema Power Plant. He acknowledged that the project had faced delays due to legal issues, but noted that the new management and contractor had significantly accelerated progress. Nwokolo shared that, based on the inspection, about 60% of the work had been completed, bringing the project closer to commissioning. He expressed confidence that with proper funding, the contractors would meet the scheduled completion date.
Addressing broader sectoral concerns, Nwokolo acknowledged the ongoing financial challenges in the power industry but praised President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Electricity Act, which has strengthened the financial viability of the sector.
He also noted that new tariff structures are making the sector more attractive to both investors and financial institutions.
