Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin
Edo State Government has offered reason why it secured a 10 per cent equity stake in a 200-megawatt Independent Power Plant (IPP).
The plant is being developed by Edo North Electricity Company Limited as part of efforts to improve power supply in the state.
The Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo, who disclosed this after the company received its licence, said the commitment to addressing the state’s power challenges in the state prompted the action to buy stake in the plant.
He described the development as a major milestone for the project.
He said the company had completed the required financial and technical assessments and would now proceed with implementation, with the Ministry of Power to monitor the project over a 365-day period to ensure compliance with agreed timelines.
According to Usenbo, the plant would add 200MW to electricity available in the area, support the national grid and complement distribution companies operating in Edo North.
He said the project would help reduce the impact of inadequate power supply from the national grid and improve electricity stability across the senatorial district.
“Edo State is very hopeful that with these inclusions, we will be able to achieve our goal,” he said, stressing that the IPP would complement, rather replace, the national grid.
Usenbo said the state government’s equity participation demonstrated Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to addressing the state’s power challenges.
He also urged communities to protect electricity infrastructure from vandalism, saying the government was engaging stakeholders to strengthen community participation in securing power facilities.
The commissioner said protecting the infrastructure could not be left solely to security agencies, as communities must take ownership of facilities located within their areas.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Trade and Marketing, Edo North Electricity Company Limited, Nosa Imasuen, said the licence marked a major step towards improving electricity supply across Edo North.
Imasuen said the company would focus on providing electricity to communities that had remained without reliable power for years, while strengthening existing infrastructure and complementing government efforts.