Zuma to add 1,200MW to national grid from coal

The hope of diversification of the nations sources of electricity has risen with the award of an on-grid generation licence to Zuma West Africa Limited by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission. In a letter conveying the award, the electricity regulatory agency said the licence would enable Zuma to generate 1,200MW of electricity from coal power plant at Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The letter signed by the Commissioner in charge of Legal Affairs, NERC, Mr. Steven Andzenge, said, "The grant of licence also carries with it the obligation to comply within the terms and conditions of licence, the provisions of the electricity sector Reform Act 2005, the regulations of the code of commission, as well as the orders and directives issued by the commission." The Executive Chairman, Zuma West Africa Limited, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, said with the award of the licence, the production of commercial coal and the generation of electricity from coal plants would soon become a reality. According to him, putting the electricity to be generated at the coal plant in the national grid will not only reduce the shortage of electric power in the country but also help the company to revive the liquidated Jos Steel Rolling Mill, which the company acquired from the Federal Government some years ago. The rolling mill has not been able to operate since Zuma acquired it as a result of shortage of power supply. Towards actualising the coal to power project, Zuma West Africa was in 2010 awarded three coal mining leases in Ankpa, Kogi State by the Ministry of Mines and Steel. Ezuma said the company was working with some Chinese investors to develop the coal plant, adding that it would be completed within 36 months from the signing of Engineering, Procurement and Commissioning agreement. He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to look homewards in order to explore the potential of the nations economy to achieve rapid development for the attainment of Vision 20:2020.
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