The Federal House of Representatives has called on the Federal Ministry of Power to take urgent steps to complete the long-delayed 215-megawatt (MW) Kaduna Power Plant and rehabilitate the vandalized Gurara Hydropower Plant.
The resolution followed a motion presented by Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo on Thursday, expressing concern over the prolonged abandonment of these critical energy projects.
The Kaduna 215MW Power Plant, located in Kudendan, near the Southern Kaduna industrial area, was conceived to boost electricity supply to the Kaduna industrial cluster and the national grid.
The project, initiated by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power, was awarded to a consortium comprising Rockson Engineering, General Electric, and Novou Pignone on November 19, 2009, with an initial completion target of 2013.
However, multiple delays have pushed its commissioning further, with the last failed attempt scheduled for 2018.
Hon. Jallo revealed that one of the contractors, Rockson Engineering Company Limited, was placed under court-guided receivership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) due to financial insolvency, further stalling the project’s progress.
Although some components, including the Power Control Module (PCM), were supplied after the receivership action, there has been no concrete plan to resume work on the site.
As of July 2019, the project had reportedly reached 86% completion, with only a few remaining technical aspects such as plant balance, erection services, and cable terminations yet to be finalized.
The House raised concerns over the economic and social impact of the project’s non-completion, highlighting that when fully operational, the Kaduna Power Plant would: Increase power generation by adding 215MW of electricity to the national grid and the Kaduna industrial cluster, Create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities and across the country, Stimulate economic growth by enhancing industrial operations and supporting small-scale businesses, Improve quality of life in homes, schools, and health centers while strengthening security through stable electricity supply.
In its resolution, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Ministry of Power to mobilize the contractors handling both the Kaduna and Gurara power plants back to the site for immediate completion.
Additionally, the Committees on Power and Compliance were mandated to oversee implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
