By Chijioke Okoronkwo
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement, design, installation and construction contracts and projects for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the Minister of Power, told State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the approvals were to facilitate the operations of the TCN.
“The first memorandum sought council’s approval for the procurement of transmission line materials for re-conductor works for the TCN in favour of Messrs Legacy Power Ltd. in the sum of six million dollars; that is the offshore value.
“The component for the onshore is N145 million, inclusive of all taxes and 12 months of completion.
“The second memorandum sought approval for a contract for the construction of a 15-kilometre turn-in, turn-out line at the existing Akure-Ado-Ekiti 132 single-circuit transmission line at the Akure sub-station transmission company.
“It was also in favour of Messrs Legacy Power Ltd. in the sum of 2.5 million dollars; that is the offshore component.
“The onshore component is N988.5 million,’’ he said.
The minister explained that the 330KV substation in Akure, which was completed more than two years ago, could not be energised due to the lack of a line from Benin.
However, he claims that a new line is under construction.
“The project has the problem of the right of way, which we are dealing with gradually. The line is supposed to energise the Akure sub-station which was completed more than two years ago.
“The line is coming from Benin North to Oshogbo to energise the Akure sub-station.
“The project is 132KV line from the Akure sub-station going to Akure-Ado-Ekiti which is simultaneously going on with the Benin North-Akure line.
“By the time we are able to energise the Akure line, this project would have been completed so that the whole area would have no problem of electricity.
“This project will be completed in 12 months and was also approved by the council,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Aliyu noted that the previous memorandum, which included five projects, sought to design, supply, and install 132 32kv substations and transmission lines across the TCN’s country.
He stated that the contracts awarded to various contractors totalled 53 million dollars offshore and N15.6 billion onshore.
“The projects are all similar – design, supply and install 2 by 60mva 132 33kV transmission sub-stations across the country.
“We have one in Misau Local Government Area in Bauchi State; we have another one in Mashi Local Government in Katsina State; we have the third one in Benue State, which is Api and North Bank in Makurdi.
“We have the fourth one at Ebonyi where a 60mva transformer would be installed at a university; then, we have the other one at Ebonyi Airport; then, the fifth one is a line of 30km at Rimin Zakara to Kayin in Kano.
“Total costs of the projects are 53 million dollars offshore and N15.6 billion onshore,’’ Aliyu said.
NAN
