Twenty years after it was first awarded, the Egbu 330/132/33kV electricity substation project in Owerri, Imo State, remains 85 per cent complete, with concerns over illegal structures, vandalism and other project execution challenges threatening the delivery of critical power infrastructure in the South-East.
In a statement, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) disclosed that the project, originally awarded in 2006, is expected to improve electricity supply in Imo State, particularly in Orlu and surrounding communities, when completed.
According to the company, the substation is expected to provide an additional 250 megawatts of electricity supply capacity, supporting efforts to improve power availability for households, businesses and industries.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on October 29, 2026, by NDPHC’s General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations, Nazo Agim, following an inspection of electricity transmission projects by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets.
The inspection, led by the committee’s chairman, Hon. Kuye Ademorin, covered the Egbu substation in Owerri and the 132kV New Haven–Ninth Mile–Nsukka Double Circuit Transmission Line in Enugu State.
During the visit, lawmakers expressed concern over the growing number of buildings erected along designated electricity transmission corridors, warning that the development was obstructing infrastructure projects intended to strengthen electricity supply in the region.
The committee identified churches, hotels, private residences and even state government buildings among structures allegedly occupying land reserved for power transmission infrastructure.
Ademorin questioned how such developments could receive approval from state authorities despite existing Federal Government rights of way.
A right of way is land legally reserved for infrastructure such as electricity transmission lines, where certain forms of construction are restricted to protect public safety and allow facilities to operate effectively.
The lawmaker maintained that encroachment on these corridors had delayed electricity projects, while vandalism had further undermined government investments.
The development raises concerns about the protection of public infrastructure and the effectiveness of cooperation between federal and state authorities responsible for land administration and electricity development.
Although NDPHC identified encroachment and vandalism as challenges affecting the projects, the statement did not establish that these were the sole reasons behind the Egbu substation’s prolonged delay.
The committee also raised concerns over contractor payments and compensation for landowners, highlighting other issues that can affect the timely completion of infrastructure projects.
Ademorin urged the Federal Government to prioritise ongoing electricity projects and ensure that contractors receive payments promptly to prevent further disruptions.
He also called for adequate compensation for landowners whose properties are acquired for public infrastructure, warning that unresolved claims could lead to disputes and litigation.
The committee chairman stressed that stronger cooperation between government agencies and affected communities was necessary to address obstacles to project delivery.
NDPHC, meanwhile, disclosed that the Owerri substation had received renewed attention under its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije.
Ademorin commended the quality of work observed at the facility and expressed optimism that the project could be completed around March 2027.
He maintained that completing the substation would support industrial activities across the South-East by improving the availability of electricity to businesses and other consumers.
However, the expected improvement in power supply would also depend on electricity generation availability, transmission network performance and the capacity of distribution infrastructure to deliver power to end users.
The committee further warned individuals and institutions occupying designated transmission corridors without authorisation that measures would be taken to address the encroachment.
“It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to take drastic, appropriate steps to ensure that those structures are removed,” Ademorin said.
He appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to collaborate with NDPHC in protecting electricity infrastructure and resolving land-related challenges affecting ongoing projects.
The lawmaker also advised prospective property buyers to verify the ownership and legal status of land before making purchases, particularly in areas designated for public infrastructure.
Beyond the threat of removing illegal structures, the prolonged delay of the Owerri substation highlights the difficulties associated with delivering electricity infrastructure in Nigeria.
Projects intended to improve power supply often depend on several factors, including financing, access to land, contractor performance and the protection of completed facilities.
For residents and businesses in Imo State, the completion of the Egbu substation could provide an important improvement in electricity transmission capacity.
However, with the project still unfinished two decades after its initial award, attention will now turn to whether the remaining work can be completed within the March 2027 timeline and what measures will be taken to prevent further delays.
The NDPHC statement did not provide the project’s original contract value, the amount spent so far or a detailed explanation of the factors responsible for its 20-year execution period.
