FG blacklists firm for abandoning power project

FG blacklists firm for abandoning power project

The Federal Government yesterday wielded the big stick against a contracting firm, Messrs Techno Electrical Engineering Company, as it announced the blacklist of the company and its directors from executing any government project in country.
The company’s crime, according to the Minister of State for Power, Honourable Mohammed Wakil, was its abandonment of electricity project in Ebonyi State for the Engineeering Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of 2X60MVA, 132/33KV at Amasiri and 2X132KV Line Bays Extension at Abakaliki after it had collected 15% mobilisation fee.
According to Hon. Mohammed Wakil, the Federal Executive has approved for the reaward of the contract for the Engineeering Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of 2X60MVA, 132/33KV at Amasiri and 2X132KV Line Bays Extension at Abakaliki for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
He said the new contract was reawarded in favour of Messrs North China Power Engineering limited and NCEP (Nig) Limited in the sum of $5,835,368.47 (five million, eight hundre and thirty five thousand, three hundred and sixty eight United States Dollars and forty seven cents) payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment plus N505,788,083.58 (Five hundred and five million, seven hundred and eighty eight thousand, eighty three Naira, fifty eight kobo) inclusive of N67,211,298.58 (sixty seven million, two hundred and eleven thousand, two hundred and ninety eight Naira, fifty eight kobo) for five percent contingency with a completion period of 24 months.
The project, according to the minister, is designed to boost power supply to Ebonyi State and parts of Cross River and enhance the socio economic development of the states.
He explained that funding for the project would be sourced from Eurobond loan, the 2014 appropriation and in the unutilized letter of credit earlier established for the terminated project to commence implementatiin of the project.
The federal executive council also approved the award of contract for the design and construction of four 60 Ton Bollard Pull Marine Tug Boats in favour of Messrs Depasa Marine International (Nigeria) limited in the sum of €42,968,864.70 ( fourty two million, nine hundred and aixty eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty four euro, seventy cents) equivalent of N8,778,423,042.28 (eight billion, seven hundred and seventy eight million, four hundred and twenty three thousand, fourty two Naira and twenty eight kobo) inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 24 months.
The project, according to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar is expected to generate 97 job opportunities for both professionals and non professionals during its execution and about 112 direct and indirect job opportunities when in full operation.
Meanwhile the Federal Executive Council also ratified the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, which is expected to be executed at a total of $3.05 trillion (N485 trillion) over 30 years.
It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had in July 2012 approved that the National Planning Commission coordinate the preparation of the NIIMP for the country.
The plan which will be implemented over a period of 30 years from 2014 to 2043, will be implemented in three phases. The first five years phase between now and 2018 will require $166.1billion for implementation.
The plan will amongst others things address the lack of linkages in the infrastructure sector. It focuses on core infrastructure, including energy (power and oil and gas), transport (roads, rail, ports and airports), housing, water and Information and Communication Technology.
Other infrastructure classes include agriculture, mining, social infrastructure, vital registration and security.