The much awaited Sokoto State Independent Power Project (IPP) has reached 95 per cent completion and would soon be tested, a representative of the contracting firm, Mr Theo Ubani has confirmed.
Speaking during a joint site inspection by both the contracting firm and officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Theo Ubani assured that, the project would be test-run in 90 days from now.
According to Ubani, the $33 million project awarded to Volcan Elvaton Niheria Limited in 2008 would generate about 38 megawatts when completed and powered.
Ubani said, “The visit was to check the readiness of the plant in terms of evacuation of the power to be generated to the substation.
‘’This is a technical visit before connecting the plant to the national grid.” In his remarks the General Manager, Connections of Power Plants, Research and Development of TCN, Dr Inugonum Tom, insisted that, the power to be generated would be utilized only in Sokoto State.
‘’The visit is therefore aimed at assessing the readiness of the project for transmission of power through TCN’s transmission lines.’’
Reacting to the development, locals pleaded with governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to hasten the process of completion, adding that, they are already suffocating because of the ill-treatment by KEDCO.
According to them, aside the fact that, KEDCO has deliberately refused to supply light to most part of the state, they equally went ahead to give them very outrageous bills for an energy which the never consumed.
A group of concerned locals have threatened to sue KEDCO over what they termed breach of agreement, unlawful exploitation as well as bias treatment if the condition of power supply in the state is not improved upon.
The group under the auspices of coalition of Human Rights Lawyers, disclosed that they are putting all necessary measure in place to file a suit against the power firm as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, another group of aggrieved consumers within the metropolis have vowed never to pay any bill until KEDCO gives them power.
The aggrieved consumers who said they hardly see a blink of power just for 10 minutes within 2 weeks in the area warned that, they cannot afford to pay bills for darkness and sunlight which are freely given to mankind by God.