NDPHC Boosts 570MW Alaoji Plant Project To 16% Completion

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has boosted the long-stalled 570 Megawatts Alaoji Combined Cycle Power Plant to 16 per cent completion, earning commendation from the House of Representatives Committee on Power during an oversight visit in Abia State.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, who led members on the oversight visit on Thursday, lauded the proactive approach of the managing director of NDPHC, . Jennifer Adighije, noting that the management had made significant progress in resolving logistical bottlenecks that had stalled the project for years.

The project has been stalled for over 20 years.

“We have seen a lot of containers recovered, over a hundred containers. That shows extra effort,” Nwokolo said after inspecting facilities.

The lawmaker noted that many infrastructure projects across the power sector have been hampered by delays in clearing imported equipment from Nigerian seaports, particularly those belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

According to him, the situation appeared different in the case of the NDPHC project.

He stated: “Today, one of the problems we are having with TCN is that virtually all their imports are being held in the seaports. But here, it is a different story from what it used to be. That is why I am commending the present leadership of NDPHC”.

The committee directed contractors to give NDPHC full visibility on equipment progress for on-site checks, warning against waiting for full manufacturing to avoid further delays.

It also urged acceleration of external works before the rainy season, with contractors assuring swift piling completion.

Adighije told lawmakers the project was just above one per cent complete when she took over but has now reached 16 per cent. NDPHC compelled contractors to submit a revised recovery plan, shifting completion from year-end 2026 to Q3 2027.

“Previously we experienced some slippages… With the revised schedule, we are now working towards completion by the third quarter of 2027,” she said.

She affirmed NDPHC’s technical and financial support, noting no outstanding payments to contractors.

Adighije thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the Power Sector Refinancing Plan, which boosts liquidity for ongoing projects and aligns with goals for nationwide electricity access.

Nwokolo stressed the plant’s potential to power Aba’s manufacturing hub, curbing unemployment and driving growth. “Aba is a place where you have a lot of self-employment. By the time this place is completed, the issue of unemployment will be greatly addressed,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that continued oversight would accelerate progress, delivering “physical light” for Nigerians to work and generate income.