By Soni Daniel
Abuja – In a rare feat, a Nigerian power production company, Top Two Group, is to build a 5-megawatts capacity power plant for a South African company, Country Bird Holdings, owners of Valentine Chickens Farms in Songa, Kwara State.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding already signed between the Nigerian company and the South African entity, Top Two Group, is to build, own and operate the plant and provide sustainable energy services to Valentine Chickens Farms and adjoining farms in the area.
And, in order to get the job done successfully, Top Two Limited, a member of TOP TWO GROUP, has engaged ABDC Energy Ltd, a UK-based firm, to provide technical and strategic support for the project.
Reacting to the development, Group Managing Director of TOP TWO GROUP, Theo Ubani, described the award of the job to a Nigerian firm as a milestone for local companies engaged in power production.
Ubani said, “This is a major milestone for local energy companies engaged in power production. In the past, we had mainly been involved in project conception and initiation. But with this opportunity, we have moved up the ladder by getting involved in the entire power production value chain.
“The Plant is part of the strategic plan of Valentine Chickens to have steady power, as it aims to become one of the largest producers of poultry in Nigeria, producing 500,000 day-old chicks per week and abattoir processing 250,000 broilers per week.
“A second phase of growth includes the introduction of 500,000 layer hens for table eggs and a fish farm producing 7,000 tons per annum. In creating a fully integrated business model, Valentine has invested in soya beans, sorghum and maize, leading to self sufficiency for the feed mill to support the broiler operations. The farm in Nigeria is 5,000 hectares in size with the Niger River being one of the boundaries and a strong platform for further development and expansion in a number of agricultural areas,” Ubani stated.
Mr. Ubani announced that the company aims to become an integrated energy company spanning power generation and distribution, smart energy products, oil and gas as well as feedstock for the plants.
“There are more international strategic alliances in the pipeline as the group repositions itself to become a big player in the energy and engineering sectors,” the managing director disclosed.
