Energy infrastructure vandalism a national emergency – Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, commissioned a new 15 megavolt-amperes (MVA) injection substation in Maiduguri, Borno State, saying recent attacks on power infrastructure have reached emergency levels. Shettima, however, urged security agencies and citizens to take active interest in the protection of the nation’s power infrastructure to forestall the resultant power supply disruptions with […]
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, commissioned a new 15 megavolt-amperes (MVA) injection substation in Maiduguri, Borno State, saying recent attacks on power infrastructure have reached emergency levels.
Shettima, however, urged security agencies and citizens to take active interest in the protection of the nation’s power infrastructure to forestall the resultant power supply disruptions with its economic toll.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 1x15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation at the College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Borno State, the Vice President said, “The widespread power outages experienced across Northern Nigeria at the end of last year due to acts of vandalism serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of our electricity infrastructure.
“This invites all of us to treat interventions in our national electricity infrastructure as an emergency.”
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He explained that the new facility, constructed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), includes a 0.1km 33kV line, 5km of 11kV lines, 5km of LT distribution networks, and three 500kVA distribution transformers.
Shettima who is the Chairman of NDPHC lauded the company’s role in Nigeria’s power sector development.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima yesterday said the newly established Borno Fashion Hub will generate 48,000 jobs annually for youth and women in the state.
He stated this at the inauguration of the fashion hub on the sidelines of the 6th Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Shettima said the federal government was commitment to empower youth and women through skills development and job creation.
According to him, the Borno Fashion Hub is one of the largest in the country, equipped with modern facilities to support the state’s budding fashion industry.
Shettima said the initiative aligned with the federal government’s vision aimed at strengthening the MSME sector, especially in conflict-affected areas like Borno.
He announced that a N300,000 unconditional grant would be provided to each of the outstanding MSMEs participating in the exhibition, as part of the government efforts to support small businesses and promote sustainable development across the country.
According to Shettima, the grants are non-repayable, reflecting the federal government commitment towards supporting the success and sustainability of small businesses in the region.
Gov. Babagana Zulum said that his administration had adopted proactive measures to support SMEs, recognising its role in strengthening resilience amid challenges bedevilling businesses caused by prolonged insurgency in the state.
Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, said the clinic was part of the national initiative to provide MSMEs with access to funding, training and market opportunities.
She noted that small business owners in Borno could now access loans of up to N5 million loans through the Bank of Industry (BoI), o further support their growth.