Over 60 coys bid for 10 new power plants- says Nebo

No fewer than 66 bidders on Monday submitted their applications to buy 10 new power plants in Nigeria.

The plants are Alaoji, Benin, Calabar, Egbema, Gbarian, Geregu, Ogorode, Olorunsogo, Omoku, and Omotosho.

The Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, said the plants were built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd, wholly owned federal concern.

He said Alaoji Generation Coy Nig. Ltd had bidders, Benin Generation Nig. Ltd had 4 bidders while Calabar Generation Nig. Ltd had 6, Egbema Generation Coy Nig. Ltd had 4 bidders while  Gbarian Generation Coy Ltd had 7.

The minister also said that Geregu Generation Coy Ltd had 8, Ogorode Generation Ltd had 8, Olorunsogo Generation Coy Ltd had 5, Omoku Generation Ltd had 8 while Omotoso Generation Coy Ltd had 13 bidders.

Nebo explained that this was the best exercise to be taken by the federal government at present and he must ensure that justice and fair play prevailed in the bidding process.

He thanked the staff and management of the holding company for their doggedness in ensuring that due process was followed in the bidding process.

Earlier, Dagogo Jack, the Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Power, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his consistency in the issue of power.

He explained that the capacity of the 10 plants did not exceed 4,700 mw which was not up to what the nation wanted.

Jack said that those of them that could not make the bid still stood some chance of investing in the sector as there were many vacancies for investors in the industry.

The Managing Director of the company, James Olotu, said he would ensure that the bid applicants had the capacity to manage the companies.