The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has pledged to work with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to resolve funding constraints and other challenges delaying the completion of the abandoned 330kV Double Circuit Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi Transmission Line Project (Lot 18T).
The committee made the commitment during an inspection of the project site, where lawmakers assessed the level of work completed and held discussions with host community leaders, the engineering, procurement and construction contractor, Anita Energy, and officials of the NDPHC.
According to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by NDPHC’s Head of Corporate Communication and External Relations, Nazo Agim, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, said the visit formed part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into abandoned Federal Government assets and projects.
Other members of the committee on the inspection included Hon. Tunji Akinosi, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu and Hon. Patrick Umoh.
Kuye said the committee identified the transmission line project as one of several critical infrastructure projects that could be revived to boost economic activities and improve electricity supply.
“In the course of our investigation into government assets and projects, we observed that some have been abandoned over the years despite the huge investments committed to them.
“We felt those investments should not go to waste, so we decided to identify projects that can be resuscitated and understand what led to their abandonment,” he said.
The lawmaker said both the NDPHC and the contractor had indicated their readiness to resume work once outstanding issues, including funding and community-related concerns, were resolved.
“We realised that there is an intention on the part of NDPHC to continue with the project. We also found that the contractor is willing to return to site and complete the work. This is a very important project not only for the host communities but also for the economy of the state and the country,” Kuye said.
He noted that completing the transmission line would strengthen electricity infrastructure, support businesses, farmers and artisans, improve security and drive socio-economic development across Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring areas.
Kuye also praised members of the host communities for protecting project materials despite the suspension of work for several years.
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“We were told that the materials needed to complete the project are already on the ground, and we wanted to verify that ourselves. Honestly, I must commend the community members for the way they have secured these assets.
“The wires, towers and other materials have been protected, which shows a high level of cooperation and commitment to seeing the project completed,” he added.
The committee chairman further urged the NDPHC to expedite the payment of outstanding compensation to affected landowners to enable the contractor to return to the site without further delays.
He assured community members that the National Assembly would work with the Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government and relevant local authorities to remove obstacles hindering the completion of the project.
Speaking earlier, the Village Head of Adiasim Ikot in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Chief Joseph Gall Udo, said the contractor abandoned the transmission project more than six years ago.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the NDPHC to settle outstanding compensation claims and address other issues delaying the completion of the project, stressing that residents had waited for years to benefit from the infrastructure.
