The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has restated its commitment to effectively monitor Public Private Partnership projects to ensure optimum utilization of public assets. This position was reinforced at a recent on-the-spot assessment visit to Shiroro Hydro Electric Power Plant in Shiroro, Niger State, undertaken by a joint team from the ICRC, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
The visit followed a recent flooding at Shiroro plant which occurred as a result of a ruptured valve of the cooling water system at the lower level of the power station during a routine maintenance. The flooding led to a disruption of power generation.
During the inspection, the Director, Contract Compliance Department of the ICRC, Mr. Mohammed Bamalli, who led the delegation, expressed deep regret over the unfortunate incident. He said “we are relieved that no casualty was recorded as a result of this incident”.
Concessionaires of the plant, the North South Power Company Ltd, speaking through its Chief Operating Officer, Engr. U. Chioke, disclosed that the company since commencement of operation in 2013 had embarked on major rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance of the asset leading to a complete recovery of the dam’s installed capacity of 600mw from 450mw at take over.
The Commission and the aforementioned stakeholders are working closely with the concessionaire towards full recovery of services and necessary measures are being designed to mitigate future occurrence.
We wish further to assure the general public especially the communities around the power plant that the situation has been contained and measures are being taken to restore the plant to its optimum capacity.
Manji Yarling
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
