Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
The Chinese Company handling the multi-billion naira power project in Olorunsogo-Ewekoro, SEPCO III has said that Nigerians would not benefit fully from the project until adequate gas is supplied to the project.
The Chinese Company handling the multi-billion naira power project in Olorunsogo-Ewekoro, SEPCO III has said that Nigerians would not benefit fully from the project until adequate gas is supplied to the project.
Managing Director of the company, Mr. Fang Yibo, explained that despite the perceived slow pace of work at the second phase of the project, it would be ready within the contract period, which he puts at November 2010.
Yibo spoke against the backdrop of the visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Power Probe Panel to the site during which its Chairman, Hon. Godwin Elumelu, expressed displeasure at the progress of work
He also told journalists that the company had been paid only $499.5 million as against N58.8 billion which he said was widely published after the House of Representatives' visit.
His words: 'The total amount of money for this project is about $499.5 million; of this money only 25 per cent has been paid and the balance of 75 per cent will be paid according to progress of work on site, which is usually in phases. So there is no truth in the reports that we have been over paid. It is misinformation."
On the slow pace of work at the phase two of the project, Fang said: 'There is nothing like slow pace of work. The project is going on as agreed in the contract paper.
'The project stage now is still designing and manufacturing, while the first and second shipment of auxiliary equipment will arrive Nigeria from China before the end of this month."
Continuing, Yibo, who spoke in the presence of the Consultant to the project, Mr. Hamzat Adebayo, said: 'We know the importance of this project to Nigerians and we are doing everything humanly possible that we complete the project within the contract date.
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'The bitter truth is that the Turbine that will generate the electricity for the second phase of the multi billion Naira is still at the stage of design and manufacturing and that is the procedure worldwide.
'The Gas Turbine they are going to use has not been shipped. They have not even been manufactured. And for your information, they are not going to be manufactured in China . They are going to be manufactured in France by the General Electric. We have signed the contract with the GE and also made advance payment.
'We paid in January, 2008 and we are confident that they will meet their own aspect of the contract. GE is an expert in Gas Turbine. By the time it is completed and shipped to Nigeria , all auxiliary equipments and other things would have been done for its installation. I want to assure Nigerians that the project will not be abandoned.
'Apart from the Gas Turbine that will be manufactured in France, there are other part of the contract, like the Steam Turbine which will be made in China and other Balance of Plant. All this have been ordered for.
'So there is no cause for alarm. The project will be completed within the stipulated time. I want to assured Nigerians that the project timing would not be affected. The project will be completed within the contract date, which is 36 months from July, 2007."