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Vice President Namadi Sambo has frowned at the poor and slow pace of work on the National Integrated Power Project projects.

Mr. Sambo expressed
his displeasure, yesterday, at a special Technical meeting with
consultants, contractors and stakeholders on National Integrated Power
Project (NIPP) distribution component in State House, Abuja,

The contracts for the project were signed in 2007 with a duration of one year and should have been completed before now.

The Vice President
said the administration is committed to providing Nigerians with
adequate power supply, noting that “the federal and state governments
have contributed over $10 billion for the project and generating plan
is at over eighty per cent completion, which will be handled by new
distribution companies owned by Nigerians. There will be no business as
usual”.

Noting that some of
the contracts period have expired, Mr. Sambo directed that the
Ministries of Power, Solid Minerals and the contractors concerned as
well as major suppliers of equipment such as transformers and
manufacturers should hold a meeting to review the contract agreements
to provide a revised programme of work to reflect the period of
completion, design and other associated components of the project
within four weeks.

He also disclosed
that he will soon make a detailed presentation of the NIPP project to
the National Economic Council and therefore urged that all problems and
challenges facing the project be made available for the presentation.

Mr. Sambo promised
to meet with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the
problem of land in Kubwa, Nyanya and Mararaba, as well as write to
governors and local council bosses in whose domains the contractors are
facing land disputes to resolve the matter in order to allow for urgent
completion of the project.

He also directed that issues of letters of credit be addressed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) within two weeks.

“Suppliers need to
have authentic delivery programme of supplies to ensure that they are
delivering the equipment within the time frame of the agreement,” he
cautioned.

Mr. Sambo
re-assured that all challenges working against the completion of the
project will be removed as he encouraged contractors and consultants
that those who performed well will be considered for another contract.

The contractors adduced their challenges to include land disputes
which impeded some of them from commencing work on site and lack of
letters of credit, among others. They specifically noted the challenges
they face in Ajaokuta, Okene, Ankpa, Opolo, Abolema and among others.