From Uche Usim, Abuja
An independent power generating company, Eta-Zuma Group West Africa is currently shopping for $6 billon (N1.9 trillion) in local anf foreign investments to fully actualize its on-going 1,200 megawatts (mw) coal plant in Itobe, Kogi State. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Innocent O. Ezuma at a press conference in Abuja recently said over 90 per cent of the project’s pre-development processes have been completed.
He added that the firm was at the final approval stages with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), adding that it aims at achieving the first phase of 300mw by 2019.
Ezuma, who revealed that the Group already has a source of fuel for the first private coal power plant, noted that its mine site in Okobo town in Kogi State (Zuma 828 Limited) was capable of supplying the required 1 million tonnes needed to run the 1,200mw plant in the long run.
As part of the firms corporate social responsibility programmes, Dr. Ezuma announced a N500 million package to support the development of communities in the operational areas of Okobo/Enjema in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State for five years starting this year.
“Already, 120 indigenes of the host community have been directly engaged with more incentives coming shortly. “This amount is to be invested in developing critical infrastructure – schools, hospitals, potable water supply, and roads; entrepreneurship – loans to support small and medium-scale businesses especially those which are youth-driven with a N20 million annual commitment; sports and cultural activities as well as gender issues.
“Modalities for implementing this package are being discussed with communities’ stakeholders and will soon be agreed upon,” Ezuma noted.
The company, he added, is targeting 1,600mw power generation including a 400mw gas-to-power plant at Egbema in Imo state. He also disclosed plans to build a 100mw embedded power plants at Ankpa and two other sites to support industries in the area through the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).