By Moses Patience Chat
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts worth N226 billion and $592 million to increase power supply across the country.
Speaking to journalists after the valedictory FEC meeting headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, said the power contracts were spread communities including Potiskum in Yobe State, Daura in Katsina State, Sapade in Ogun State, Benin in Edo State, among others.
According to him: “Council approved award of contract for the engineering procurement, construction and financing on the implementation of 330 KV and 132 kV line transmission lines and 33 KV, 11 KV and 400 PE distribution line project under phase 1 of the presidential power initiatives in favour of two contractors in the sum total of $581,629,355.93, inclusive of 7.5 percent, at the prevailing exchange rate with period of completion 36 months as indicated.
“The recipient companies for lot one, from DL from Benin and Enugu Discos is Messes SLD electric. Then, Lot DM 3 Abuja, Jos, Kano, Kaduna DisCos is Messes China civil Engineering Construction Cooperation totaling distance of around 13,000 kilometers for the two LOT and it has been graciously approved by the Council.”
Aliyu also disclosed that the Council has approved a contract for the construction of 750 kilowatts solar PV power plant at the TCN headquarters in favor of Proserv Energy Services Limited for the sum of N1.6 billion inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a completion period of six months.
The Minister also said that the Council has approved a routine maintenance for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and another contract for the upgrading of the substation in Potiskum town in Yobe State with 132 power transformer.
His words: “It is an existing substation, which has been there for a very long time with only one transformer and it serves a lot of areas around Potiskum, it is the largest town in the State with a very huge population and is the hub for commerce and transportation. So, with this upgrade, Potiskum will become a hub for electricity transmission and distribution.
“The other component for it is the line bringing an additional line from Damaturu. Before now, the line comes from Gombe, which is over 200 kilometers. It is a 132 single line coming into Potiskum to power the substation. So, having a 330 substitution in Damaturu, makes it easier and more prudent to take electricity from Damaturu to Potiskum over a distance of 120 kilometers. This is because, the longer you take the electricity on a 132 line, the lower the quality of electricity you get.
“So, with the 132 from Gombe single line and now this proposed one coming from Damaturu to Potiskum, you will have double circuit with an additional transformer of 132 cable, that is one by 60 MB.”
Aliyu added that the second project is the construction of a two by-60 MVA and 132 line transmission substation at Sapade in Ogun state and is in favor of Messes VNK International Technologies at the total cost of a foreign component $10.2 million and local component of N3.3 billion naira.
He further stated that the third project will be the supply and installation of 33 KV substation equipment at Daura Emirate Katsina State, in favor of Eases Power Deal Construction Limited for the sum of N4 billion.