POWER SECTOR: 66 Firms Fights to Win Power Plants Bid

About 66 power companies submitted yesterday bids for the purchase of 10 Nigeria National Integrated Power Plants NIPP in the Niger Delta.

They include; Alaoji (3), Egbema (4),Ogorode (8), Omuku (8), Geregu (8), Gbarai (7), Benin (4), Omotosho (13), Olorunsogo (5) and Calabar power station.

Though, no firm was disqualified during the bidding but list of approved companies would be made public on 23rd November, 2013.

The power companies are expected to beat a benchmark of strong capital base of between $100 million to $250million, good competence and the ability of the consortium to integrate the power plants.

Briefing the press after the bid session in Abuja, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, James Olotu, said the company needed a reliable organisation which is financially capable to manage and improve on the plants.

He said the NDPHC would strive to avoid situations whereby bidders would procure the plants and due to weak capital, dispose the facility and shortchange the country.

He said members of the evaluation committee will assemble to scrutinise the bids in two weeks based on deals agreed and subsequently give their approval, adding that the agency would ensure that the entire process is transparent.

Olotu said: “By 23rd of this month, they should have completed the approval processes. The results will be made ready and made public. The target is in the next two weeks, they will commence the evaluation. They all know the parameters we are looking for.”

He restated his commitment to ensure that the country is not deceived by any foreign investors.