The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to investigate the abandoned $38.7 million Phase 2 of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation – Nigerian Agip Oil Company joint venture Okpai independence power plant project.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by a lawmaker, Nnamdi Ezechi, who called for the intervention of federal lawmakers.
In his lead debate, Ezechi observed that the Okpai Independent Power Plant project, a joint venture between NAOC and the Federal Government, received approval from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission for the construction of Phase 2.
Ezechi said, “The House also notes that despite the substantial investment of $38.7m, and the commencement of Phase II construction in November 2017, the project ended up being abandoned, resulting in the dilapidation of the critical federal infrastructure.
“The House is aware that the Phase II project has reached approximately 90 per cent completion prior to its abandonment by contractors – Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
“The House further notes that the project site is in a grave state of decay, with billions of dollars worth of equipment and turbines unused, covered by grass, and taken over by shrubs.
“The House is concerned that the abandonment of the Phase II project jeopardises significant investments and furthermore hampers an increase in electricity generation for the nation.”
The lawmaker added that the “House is also concerned that there is ambiguity surrounding the project’s contract amount, casting doubt on accountability and transparency in its execution.
“The House recognises the fact that the NAOC and Saipem Contracting Nigeria SCNL were involved in the award and execution of the project.
“The House is disturbed about the lack of advancement of the project and the need for government action to preserve this essential national resource,” he noted.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Power to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the funding and contractors, which includes NAOC and SCNL, and ascertain the impediments leading to the abandonment of the project, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Diesel sold at N1, 153 per litre in January 2024 – NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics says the average retail price of a litre of diesel increased from N828.82 in January 2023 to N1, 153.01 in January 2024.
NBS stated this in its Diesel Price Watch for January 2024, released in Abuja on Wednesday.
The report said that the January 2024 price of N1, 153.01 per litre amounted to a 39.11 per cent increase over the N828.82 paid in January 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 2.34 per cent from the N1, 126.69 per litre recorded in December 2023,” it added.
On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average price of diesel in January 2024 was recorded in Kebbi at N1, 433.33 per litre, followed by Kogi at N1, 300 and Abuja at N1, 226.70.
It stated that the lowest price was recorded in Borno at N927.27 per litre, followed by Kano at N940.89 and Taraba at N988.33.
“In addition, the analysis by zones showed that the North-Central had the highest price of N1,205.11 per litre, while the North-East recorded the lowest price at N1,074.03.”
