$2bn power grid maintenance, expansion, rehabilitation ongoing—FG

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has disclosed that $2 billion electricity grid maintenance, expansion and rehabilitation projects are ongoing across the country. Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the 11th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Scorecard Series (2015-2023), he said the projects were estimated to create 45,000 direct and indirect jobs. He noted […]

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has disclosed that $2 billion electricity grid maintenance, expansion and rehabilitation projects are ongoing across the country.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the 11th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Scorecard Series (2015-2023), he said the projects were estimated to create 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He noted that the projects were being financed by the multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said in delivering the projects, the federal government leveraged the support of the various State Governors to resolve Right of Way (ROW) issues.

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 “We’re grateful to the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, that has been supportive towards addressing ROW issues which have significantly slowed down the implementation of transmission projects,” he said.

He said the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative had been repositioned to take delivery of critical equipment.

“You may recall that accelerated orders were placed for 10 power transformers and 10 Mobile Substations, with a delivery schedule beginning Sept. 2022.

“So far, six of the 10 power transformers have already arrived the shores of Nigeria and we have started installation in various locations while the remaining four are expected in Dec. 2022 and Jan 2023.

“The mobile substations are expected from Jan 2023 through to April 2023,” he said.

He said a review of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry had shown a much healthier industry than the government inherited from previous administrations. (NAN)