PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT POWER GENERATION IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AZURAAND OSSIOMO IPP PROJECTS

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of Azura and Ossiomo Independent Power Plants within the purview of the Public-Private Partnership arrangement in Edo State, which was conceived due to the failure of the public sector's inability to provide electricity for the population of Nigeria. To achieve the goal of this paper, the study throws up three research objectives. To have a robust understanding of the subject matter of discourse, the researcher reviewed relevant literature in the area of the study and provided robust comments on it. The paper, through the use of secondary data, adopted the Public Choice Theory as a lens through which this study was analysed. Furthermore, the study established that Azura and CCETC Ossiomo are PPP-driven IPPs that have improved electricity generation reliability in Edo State with strong developmental outcomes that have contributed to the national grid and contributed to 22 to 24-hour power supply in the coverage areas. The study further established that the dollarisation of the value chain of Edo Azura and Ossiomo IPPs, breach of the Joint Venture agreement by the actors to the Edo IPPs agreement, remain the governance and contractual agreements that have, in recent times, affected the performance outcomes of these IPPs. The study further espoused some challenges that are associated with Azura and Ossiomo IPP in Edo State. The study concluded appropriately and recommended the de-dollarisation of the Edo IPPs value chains, renegotiation of the joint venture agreement between Edo State Government and CCETC Osssiomo power plants management, among others.