By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
In keeping with its infrastructural development agenda, the Federal Government has approved the construction of the two sun-stations in Kano and one in Benue states just as it also approved the sum of $506, 324.40 and N34, 034, 000 to extend transmission lines to Umuahia, Abia and Mbano in Imo states respectively.
This cheering news was dropped Wednesday in Abuja by Minister of Power, Mamman Sale who briefed State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.
Sale said, Council has approved the construction of three sub-stations, two in Kano State and one in Benue State even as it also approved the extension of transmission lines in Umuahia, Abia State and Mbano, Imo State.
The Minister said the cost for the extension of transmission lines in Abia and Imo States is $506,324.40 plus N34,034,000 local content.
Said he: “On the amount for the construction of three sub-stations in Zaki-Biam, Benue State and Bichi and Kanyi, Kano State – the one in Zaki-Biam is $8.6 million while the local content is N2.08 billion. The second one in Bichi is $9.6 million plus N1.7 billion local content. The one in Kanyi, Kano State is $9.5 million plus N1.7 billion”.
On why the ministry was embarking on new projects now, the minister said: “There has not been any problem so far. But we just have to expand the national grid for sustainable supply of electricity and also to improve capacity. That is all.”
Collaborating Sale’s position, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said: “You see, before now, there’s been complained that more power is being produced compared to what is being wheeled out.
“So, what he’s been doing recently, is to improve the capacity of the TCN to transmit more power. So, all these contracts you heard of is about improving the capacity of the TCN so that when this electricity is produced, it will get to our homes.”
