Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPPL), operators of Qua Iboe Power Plant, has signed a community partnership agreement (CPA) with impacted communities in Akwa Ibom State to guide against eruption of hostilities.
Business Hilights recalls that the QIPPL was initiated by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to boost power supply in the country in line with Federal government’s road map on power generation.
The project is expected to include a 58-kilometre transmission line, which will transverse Ibeno, Eket, Esit-Eket, Mkpat-Enin and Onna, and terminate at the power station in Ikot Abasi, where it will be connected to the national grid.
The QIPP is a 567 megawatts gas-fired power plant to be constructed adjacent to the Qua Iboe Terminal.
The company noted that the execution of the agreement will among other things, establish a positive relationship with neighbouring communities in Akwa Ibom and drive strong collaboration with them to identify and develop sustainable programmes for accelerated socio-economic development in the communities.
According to the power company, “The CPA was executed with the communities under the auspices of the Akwa Ibom State Government led by Governor Udom Emmanuel; while the team also included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem; the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Ufot Ebong, and other top government officials.
“The communities include Ibeno (where the power plant is located), Eket, Esit-Eket, Mkpat-Enin, Onna and Ikot Abasi, whose representatives were said to be part of the ceremony.
“The agreement was aimed at fostering hitch-free operations and promoting orderliness in the area to allow a conducive investment/work environment at all times from construction to completion of the power plant and during the operation of the plant.
“The agreement covered critical areas such as community employment opportunities, procurement and supply contracts, and socioeconomic development projects.
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Black Rhino Group, Mr Brian Herlihy, commended the state governor for his support to ensure that the project comes on stream and for the construction to commence before the end of this year.
He said the company is investing $1.1bn in the QIPP project and over 12,000 people from Akwa Ibom will be employed during the construction phase.
Earlier in his address, Dr Ekuwem hailed the QIPPL for its commitment to investing $1.1bn in the power plant and an additional $500m in gas.
On behalf of the government, the Secretary to the State Government assured the company of his administration’s support and commitment to the realisation of the goal, saying, “I am always glad to be associated with something that will drive employment and provide the basis for industrialisation.”
