Sunrise Power to review ICC arbitration on Mambilla project

The promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, Leno Adesanya, has said the legal battle over the long-delayed Mambilla hydroelectric power project is not over despite the recent arbitration decision involving the Federal Government.

Adesanya, in a statement on Friday, said the company’s legal team was reviewing the decision of the International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France, with a view to determining the next legal steps.

He said Sunrise would consider all lawful options available to it after its lawyers had completed their assessment of the tribunal’s award.

“The battle is not over. Our lawyers are currently reviewing the arbitration decision and will advise us on the appropriate next steps,” Adesanya said.

He said the company respected the arbitration process and the tribunal’s decision but needed to carefully examine the findings and reasoning contained in the award.

“We respect the arbitration process and the decision of the tribunal, but we are carefully studying the award, including its findings, reasoning and the implications for the parties,” he said.

Adesanya said it would be premature for the company to make extensive comments on the decision until its legal team had concluded its review.

“Until our legal team has completed its review, it would be premature to comment extensively on the decision or the issues arising from it,” he said.

He reaffirmed Sunrise’s commitment to protecting its interests in the Mambilla project and the agreements underlying the dispute.

“Sunrise remains committed to protecting its rights and interests in relation to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project. We will consider all lawful options available to us based on the advice of our lawyers,” Adesanya said.

He also expressed hope that the longstanding dispute could eventually be resolved in a manner that would protect the interests of all parties and facilitate the development of the project.

“We also remain hopeful that the long-running issues surrounding the project can ultimately be resolved in a manner that protects the interests of all parties and supports the realisation of the enormous potential of the Mambilla project for Nigeria’s power sector,” he said.

Adesanya added that the company would make further comments after receiving advice from its legal team.

“We will make further comments when our legal team has concluded its review and advised us on the appropriate course of action,” he said.