The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has said that churches, hotels, private residences and state government buildings erected along Federal Government transmission routes are blocking the completion of power projects in the South-East.
The structures were erected along designated rights of way for projects being executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), according to the Committee.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kuye Ademorin, revealed this after inspection visits to the 132kV New Haven-Ninth Mile-Nsukka Double Circuit Transmission Line in Enugu State and the Egbu 330/132/33kV substation in Owerri, Imo State.
He expressed concerns that state authorities approved buildings despite existing Federal Government rights of way, adding that encroachment and vandalism had delayed projects meant to improve electricity supply and drive industrial development.
He said: “We observed the magnitude of investment by the Federal Government in building a sustainable power system for the country, particularly in our states, to help them develop their industrial base through adequate power supply. However, to our chagrin and disappointment, we saw a people who are not totally buying into the vision of a greater country for all of us.”
NDPHC disclosed that the Owerri substation, which is about 85 per cent complete, would add about 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State and significantly improve supply to the Orlu area.
The project, first awarded in 2006, has received renewed attention under the leadership of NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije.
He warned those occupying government land illegally that: “It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to take drastic, appropriate steps to ensure that those structures are removed.”
He urged stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities, timely payment to contractors and prompt compensation to landowners to prevent disputes.
He lauded NDPHC for quality of work at Owerri and expressed optimism that its completion around March 2027 would transform industrial activities in the South-East.
He implored governors of Enugu and Imo states to work with NDPHC to address encroachment, and advised Nigerians to investigate land status before purchase to avoid buying plots within government rights of way.
