By Onu Okorie

Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has stepped up efforts to resolve longstanding community-related challenges affecting the construction of the 330kV transmission line along the Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi axis of Akwa Ibom State.
The intervention, led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighijie, is aimed at clearing the outstanding issues and paving the way for the contractor to return fully to site and accelerate work on the critical transmission project.
The project, which has about 90 per cent of its required materials already deployed to site, is regarded as an important component of efforts to strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure in the state and improve the reliability of power supply to homes, businesses and industries.
Adighijie said NDPHC was working closely with the Akwa Ibom State Government and other relevant stakeholders to address the concerns that had hindered progress on the project.
She said the company recognised the importance of resolving host-community issues through engagement and collaboration, stressing that successful delivery of major power infrastructure depended not only on engineering and construction but also on effective stakeholder relations.
Once completed, the Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi 330kV transmission project is expected to improve the capacity and stability of the national grid in the region, while providing the infrastructure required to support Akwa Ibom’s expanding commercial and industrial activities.
The project is also expected to contribute to improved access to electricity by strengthening the transmission network and reducing infrastructure constraints that can affect the evacuation and distribution of available power.
The latest intervention is part of Adighijie’s broader emphasis on removing bottlenecks and improving the delivery of NDPHC projects across the country. Since assuming leadership of the company, she has repeatedly stressed the need for stronger coordination among government institutions, contractors, host communities and other stakeholders to ensure that critical power projects are completed and put to use.
Her approach has placed emphasis on resolving implementation challenges, improving project monitoring and ensuring that investments in power infrastructure translate into tangible benefits for electricity consumers.
NDPHC, which was established to develop and manage critical power generation and transmission infrastructure under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), has over the years implemented projects aimed at expanding the country’s transmission capacity and improving the stability of the national electricity system.
For Akwa Ibom, completion of the 330kV project is expected to have significance beyond the transmission sector, particularly as the state continues to attract investments and expand industrial and commercial activities.
Adighijie reiterated NDPHC’s commitment to working with the state government, communities and other stakeholders to overcome the remaining obstacles to the project.
She maintained that the company would continue to prioritise the delivery of critical power infrastructure capable of supporting economic activity and improving electricity access for Nigerians.
With most of the project materials already available at the site, stakeholders are now expected to focus on resolving the outstanding community issues to enable the contractor to remobilise and move the project towards completion.