Jonathan commissions Omotosho plant, begs striking PHCN workers

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday commissioned the 500 mega watts Omotosho II Power Station in Ondo State, built under the National Integrated Power Project.
As part of efforts to boost power supply, the President recently commissioned the Geregu Power Plant in Kogi State.
He used the occasion to enjoin workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to stay action on their strike as government strives to pay their severance packages.
“We like to reassure all PHCN workers, our dear labour leaders that have not received their full severance packages that government is working hard to make sure that all of you get what is due to you. There is no need for industrial action,” he said.
Jonathan also reassured that Nigerians would witness significant improvement in power supply across the federation by next year when the private investors would have taken over fully.
According to him, the Nigerian Bulk Trader has been funded with about $750 million to enable it carry out its mandate, adding that the Nigerian Electricity Liability Company would also be adequately funded so as to be able to assume liabilities associated with the privatization of the PHCN successor companies as well as other liabilities and other related issues.
The President spoke further: “We promise that before the middle of next year, light will be reasonably, I am not saying total, light will be reasonably stabilized in the country.”
On government’s effort to improve power supply, he said 4700mw would be added to the existing power generating capacity with the commissioning of all the 10 power plants being built by the NIPP.
Jonathan, while calling for a minute silence in honour of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, lauded his contributions to power development in the country while he was Minister of Power.
An elated Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State gave kudos to the Federal Government for executing the project, even as he commended President Jonathan for “for turning around infrastructure in the country.”
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the commissioning of Geregu and Omotosho Power Plants attested to the present administration’s commitment to transforming the power sector.
Nebo’s words: “Most people thought privatization was impossible when you started but you have successfully handed over the infrastructure to successor companies.
“You provided the enabling environment to almost complete the payment to disengaged workers.
“Everything they said was impossible to do, we have achieved under your leadership.”