By Constance Athekame, NAN
The Federal Government on Thursday inagurated four new projects in Kano to boost power supply to the state and improve economic activities.
The projects which inagurated in Kano include a 2×40 Mega Volt Ampree (MVA), 132/33 Kilo Volt transmission sub station in Walalambe, 1×300MVA and 1 ×100 MVA, 132/33KV power transformers at the Kumbotso substation.
Others are 1×100MVA, 132/33KV power transformer in Dakata substation and the 1x100MVA, 132/33kV power transformer at Dan Agundi substation.
Tthe projects are expected to add 544 Megawatts (MW) wheeling capacity to Kano and the national grid was carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
It would also strengthen bulk electricity supply to Kano’s industrial, commercial and residential areas by relieving overloaded substations and create room to meet previously suppressed demand.
Speaking while inagurating the projects on Kano, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe said that the projects are a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tegbe said that the projects were also the president determination to reset the power sector as a foundation for national development and turning infrastructure investment into economic opportunity across the entire country.
According to him, the task before the ministry of power is to provide infrastructure that allows enterprise to flourish.
He said that with these projects just inagurated, the Federal Government had opened a new route for bulk electricity to reach the industrial and commercial corridors, where investment, production, and employers depend on it.
” This is significant for the communities and for the wider Kano electricity network as it would create a new supply point, relieves pressure on existing facilities,”he said.
The projects would also give the distribution network greater flexibility in serving electricity consumers.
The minister also highlighted the provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, which had operated off-grid for more than 30 years.
He said connecting the company to the national grid demonstrated the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting industrial development.
“Our electricity system must be able to serve productive businesses and give them the confidence to plan for the future.
He said that the had directed the ministry to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote balanced electricity supply across the country.
The minister pledged to work with the Kano State Government and relevant power sector stakeholders to harmonise interventions and avoid duplication of projects.
He commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Atlantic Engineering and Construction Company Ltd. and the World Bank for their contributions to the project
The minister also appealed to the host communities to keep the facilities safe from vandals.
”Please help us protect these infrastructure and make sure our vigilance is stronger than ever before as we are faced with a lot of vandalism across the country,”he said
Similarly, the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir-Yusuf, said: “Kano requires 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to meet its growing industrial and commercial demand.”
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. Gaddafi Shehu-Sani, said the state currently receives about 300MW or less, underscoring the need for improved electricity supply to support industrial growth and economic activities.
According to him, reliable electricity supply will strengthen Kano’s position as a major commercial centre and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The governor commended the federal government, the minister of power as well as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their efforts to improve electricity infrastructure in the state
.Mr Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said that the projects reflected the company’s broader commitment to the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion, and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP).
Abdulaziz said that across the six geopolitical zones, TCN would continue to pursue the expansion of transmission infrastructure, the rehabilitation of existing facilities and the modernisation of critical equipment.
”These efforts are directed at strengthening the national transmission network and supporting the Federal Government’s power sector development objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,”he said.
He commended the host communities for their cooperation throughout the projects implementation.
Abdulaziz however appealed to the communities for continued partnership in protecting vital national asset against vandalism and other threats.
He also urged them to respect transmission Right-of-Way (RoW) corridors and report suspicious activities around transmission infrastructure.
The managing director said that reporting suspicious activities around the infrastructure was an important steps towards safeguarding power investments and ensuring their continued service to the public.
On his part, Alhaji Mahe Bashir, Walin Kano, who represented the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, said the development would add value and sustain the economy of Kano.
NAN
