The Federal Government has said terrorists are sabotaging efforts to provide steady and reliable power supply to Nigerians, especially in the North East region.
The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, said this at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He spoke as FEC approved various contracts in the power and water resources sectors, totaling N23,047,974,090.
The minister, who cited the case of the North East, North West and North Central, said after power infrastructure were brought down by vandals and restored, they were again vandalised.
He said government has now been compelled to design alternative, but less efficient ways to supply electricity to areas affected particularly Maiduguri in Borno State through Damaturu substation.
“But currently, we have returned the contractor to restore the main 330 that was vandalized some time back. So, in order to have enough electricity for Damaturu and environs, from that substation in Damaturu, and take some to Maiduguri, this project seeks to boost the capacity of Damaturu substation,” he explained.
The minister also said that his officials had not been able to access vandalised power infrastructure in Niger State, including Shiroro, to determine their problem because of insecurity in the area.
He, however, said the security agencies are cooperating with his ministry on how best to deal with the situation.
Aliyu said the project, which will cost $6,717,673.13 in offshore component and N1.313,323,271.25, has been approved for award to Messers Six Rix Management.
According to him, other power projects approved by the FEC in the two memoranda he presented on behalf of his ministry are for design, supply and installation of 1x60MVA, 132×33 KV transmission substation with associated 4×132 KV line bay extension in Hong council area of Adamawa state in favour of Messers associate power solution engineering limited in the sum of N6,529,589,637.28 consisting of two components one is offshore and onshore.
He said the offshore is $6,932,289.20, and the onshore is N3,337,250,789.77 at the CBN prevailing exchange rate and 7.5% VAT with delivery period being 24 months.
The minister said: “the second memo also is to procure power transformers and associated spare parts for the TCN to be deployed to six locations as follows: One is to Aiyede in Oyo State to Messers T and D technologies Limited. Offshore component $1.8 million, the onshore is N98 million.
“The second one is Gusau in Zamfara State, same project to Messers Basharri limited. The third one is Kankia in Katsina State, which is to enjoy the same project to be supplied by Messers Farmamade energy limited.
“The next one is Minna, Niger State is also to enjoy some project to Messers Crossworld global technology limited. Then the fifth one is to Okearo in Ogun to enjoy the same transformer.”
He gave the total amount approved for the project made up of dollar component of $22,670,416.33 and the naira component is N5,141,924,927.2.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said the Minister of Water Resources got approval for a N939 million water project in Gombe State.
