Buhari approves multi-billion naira power projects in Daura, others

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved multi-billion naira contracts to boost power supply in Daura, Katsina State, Yobe as well as other parts of the country.

He said, "The Council approved the 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."

He revealed that the project was awarded in favour of two contractors in the sum total of $581.6 million, inclusive of 7.5%, at the prevailing exchange rate with a period of completion of 36 months as indicated.

"The recipient companies for lot one, from DL from Benin and Enugu DISCOS, Messes SLD electric.

"Then, Lot DM 3 Abuja, Jos, Kano, Kaduna DISCOS, Messrs China civil engineering construction cooperation totalling a distance of around 13,000 kilometres for the two LOT and it has been graciously approved by council," he added.

The minister also disclosed that the Council approved the award of a contract for the construction of a 750 kilowatt solar PV power plant at the headquarters of where TCN is also situated in the sum of ₦‎1.6 billion with a completion period of six months.

He said, "Council also approved routine maintenance for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

"The council approved a contract for the upgrading of the substation in Potiskum town in Yobe State with 132 power transformers.

"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 of it is the line bringing additional line from Damaturu. Before now, the line is coming from Gombe, which is over 200 kilometres. It is a 132 single line coming into Potiskum to power the substation.

"So, having now 330 substitutions in Damaturu, that makes it easier and more prudent to take electricity from Damaturu to Potiskum over a distance of 120 kilometres. Because the longer you take the electricity on a 132 line, you get low quality of electricity."

The minister also stated that the Council approved the construction of two by 60 MBA and 132 lines transmission substations at Sapade in Ogun, at a total cost of a foreign component $10.2 million and local component of ₦3.3 billion.

"The third one is the supply and installation of 33 KV substation equipment at Emirate Katsina State, in favour of eases Power Deal Construction limited in the sum of ₦4 billion," he said.