BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved Ogoni Power Project to connect Ogoni land to the National grid.
The Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammed Abdulahi who made the revelation during stakeholders sensitization engagement in Kpor Gokana Local government Area Rivers State, said Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria have intensified collaboration to bring the project to fruition.
According to Mr. Abdulahi, the power project which will usher in economic salvation for Ogoni people is part of the sustainability plan for the potable water scheme, Center for Excellence as well as the one hundred and fifty bed space specialist hospital to be sited in Tai.
The minister who was represented by the Project Coordinator Ogoni cleanup, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom explained that the power project will be in two phases with phase one focusing on securing the right of way, while phase two will entail construction and installation of thirteen injection stations in the six kingdoms of Ogoni.
“The engineering drawing for the power project is ready and by that design, power will be evacuated from the 132KV line sub-station in Ebubu, Eleme to Wiyaakara in Khana and another 132 KV line to Bodo in Gokana.”
“From these two points we shall further distribute the 33 KV to the communities of Ogoni, as well as powering households.”
“The power project will energize the HYPREP water stations and proposed economic development hubs that will house production and manufacturing activities across the four Local Government Areas.”
He pleaded with the residents to support the power project by providing access for the right of way and protect materials for the project against vandalism.
“Due to the volume of work involved, we have planned the construction into two phases. Phase one of the power project is as follows”
“The construction of about 36km 132KV DC transmission line from the proposed 132/33KV sub-station at Wiiyakaara to the 330/132/33KV sub-station.”
“The construction of about 27km 132kV DC transmission line from the proposed 132/33KV substation at Wiiyakaara to proposed 132/33KV substation at Bodo.”
“The construction of 2x60MVA Substation at proposed 132/33kV Substation at Wiiyakaara and Bodo.”
“Construction per kilometre of a 33KV 150mm2 ACSR conductor for surrounding communities in both Wiiyakara and Bodo respectively.”
On the remediation of oil impacted sites in Ogoni, the minister told the stakeholders that having concluded cleanup of over forty-eight lots in the less complex sites, the focus has shifted to the medium complex sites which involves shoreline remediation of coastal communities covering over two thousand hecters.
On his part, the President Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, King Godwin Gininwa, who expressed joy over the project, appreciated Federal government for bringing the power project for economic growth of Ogoni.
Chief Giniwa called on the residents especially the communities that will host the right of way to collaborate with the contractors to speed up the project.
He cautioned against crisis and vandalism describing it as counterproductive.
The Monarch gave assurance that the traditional rulers will corporate with the workers to guarantee a successful project.
The Chairmen of the four Local government areas that made up Ogoni land, Traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the cleanup exercise described the project as laudable and capable of generating employment opportunities for the residents.
