The Managing Director of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Meyen Etukudo has said Nigeria’s decision to supply electricity to Niger Republic, Republic of Benin and Togo is economical and political but more economical because the countries pay Nigeria in foreign currency.
Nigeria has often been criticized for giving power to neighbouring African countries despite acute power shortages in the country.
Ibom power MD who was a former Assistant General Manager at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) spoke on the issue at the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Uyo Chapter where he presented a paper titled “Ibom power plant and the future of electricity in Akwa Ibom Sate and Nigeria”.
He said, ‘Two major power plants in Nigeria, Kainji and Jebba are hydroelectric plants fed by River Niger. If Niger Republic is allowed to dam the River Niger at Fouta Djallon for their power supply needs, the two hydro power plants in Nigeria with a combined capacity of over 1,200Megawatts (MW) will be adversely affected and Nigeria will lose more than the present power being supplied to Niger and Republic of Benin/Togo”.
