From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Power cuts to electricity consumers of Ossiomo Power Plant in Edo State since Sunday, September 1, have exposed an ongoing power tussle between Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure and CCETC, a Chinese firm.
The disagreement between the two was alleged to have led to the switching off of power at the plant, throwing electricity consumers of the company into crisis.
Laying ownership claim to the electricity company at Ossiomo, near Ologbo, Ossiomo Power said it is the rightful owner of critical power infrastructure and holds exclusive rights to the gas infrastructure and power facilities since 2008.
It stated that its ownership is backed by statutory licences and approvals for power generation and transmission within Edo State.
The Deputy General Manager of the company, Engr Francis Ekwe, in a statement, said the company has been confirmed to be the sole owner of the power generating plant, the transmission network, and associated gas infrastructure tied to the project.
Ekwe disclosed that CCETC’s involvement was limited to a contract executed in 2018 for the supply and installation of engines for the Independent Power Project (IPP1), stressing that the contract does not transfer or confer ownership of any facilities to the Chinese firm.
He said recent moves by CCETC to assert ownership might be aimed at influencing state authorities and creating uncertainty around the operations of Ossiomo Power.
Ekwe, therefore, warned that any attempt to sideline an indigenous operator in favour of a foreign contractor could undermine Nigeria’s local content policy and pose risks to energy security in Edo State.
Recall that businesses of customers of the electricity firm have been paralysed, while parts of Benin City have been thrown into darkness since electricity from Ossiomo was switched off.
