KAYODE EKUNDAYO, Asst Business Editor

Ministry of Power and Steel and National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) had awarded the construction of a single phase 132 kv transmission line of $56 million (N7.4 billion) to Pivot Engineering in November 2000. The project was to be completed within 72 months of the contract award and was designed to stretch from Owerri in Imo State to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Though construction work is still ongoing, Pivot Engineering Executive Director (Business) Mr. Olusegun Ahmadu attributed the delay to adjustments in the original design as well as community problems which also led to the upward review of the contract sum from $56 million to $76 million.

According to Ahmadu in a recent interview with Daily Champion said the original contract was to construct 132kv single circuit line from Owerri and step down at Ahoada to improve supply in the area and then move to Yenagoa.

"But in the course of approval, the Federal Government decided to tee-off from Ahoada to Abonema, also construction of new 40 mva, 132/33kv substation at Imiringi as well as inclusion of 132 kv double circuit line from Owerri to Yenagoa. All these were not in the original design.

Ahmadu explained that the situation was further aggravated by community agitations and disturbance which resulted in kidnapping of site engineers as well as seizure of construction equipment and damage to same by youths.

"We have to abandon the site for sometime. On intervention, we were told that they would not allow us to return to work until we agree with some terms," he said.

Nevertheless, Ahmadu said, work on the project has reached an advance stage and by December 31, Yenagoa would be lighted up.

He said the company has finished the segment of work from Owerri to Ahoada "so much so that there is power supply in Ahoada since December 2004" Ahmadu said.

Although, the main target is to link up Yenagoa to the national grid, Ahmadu said since electricity has reached Ahoada, it would not take too much time to finish the main assignment.

"Our major challenge has been pilling in swampy areas . But I can assure you that transmission line to Yenagoa is 80 per cent ready including the substation. Precisely by June, the station will be ready. Besides, pilling, poles erection is about 80 per cent completed," the executive director said.