FG begins construction of 2x30MVA substation worth N4.32bn in A’Ibom State

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Government has begun the construction of a 2x30MVA substation worth N4.32 billion in Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom to improve power generation and supply to the people.

Assistant Director (Transmission), Federal Ministry of Power, Mr Philip Okpanefe, said this in Ididep, Ibiono Ibom near Uyo on Friday during the official taking over of the site to commence construction of the substation.

Okpanefe said that the federal government had awarded the contract for the construction of the substation to JAMEC West Africa Ltd, to complete the project within 18 months.

According to him, the project upon completion will strengthen the national grid, improve service delivery, and increase capacity to supply more power to Ibiono Ibom and neighbouring communities of Akwa Ibom as they currently suffer frequent acute power outages.

“We are here for the site handing over for the construction of a substation, the capacity of the substation is 2x30MVA, 132/33KV. The contract is awarded to JAMEC West Africa Ltd.

“The contract has a foreign component and a local component; the foreign component is in dollars while the local component is in naira.

“The foreign components are about $4.2 million dollars while the local component is about N1.89 billion, when you put them together, it is in the region of about N4.32 billion at the time the contract was awarded.

“The duration for the construction of the project is 18 months as approved by the Federal Executive Council,” Okpanefe said.

He called on the community people to cooperate and assist the contractor to ensure prompt completion of the project.

He warned that government would not be happy with the community for any delay after funds had been released to execute the contract.

“You all know a major issue that delays project completion is if there are issues with community people. “If the government has provided the funding, the community on their part should assist the contractor and calm youths restiveness, for them to work at a good pace to ensure the project is completed as scheduled,” he said.

Sen. Ita Enang, the former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, said the project is part of the President’s campaign promises to the Akwa Ibom people.

Enang said that the project would enhance the people’s economic growth, as small-scale businesses will spring up due to the availability of a regular power supply.

He charged the people to protect the project, and cooperate with the contractor to complete the contract within the stipulated time for the benefit of the community.

Enang, who is also the former Special Assistant to the President in National Assembly (Senate) commended Buhari for approving the project for the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Project Manager of JAMEC West Africa Ltd, Mr Afolabi Ademola, assured the people of the efficient job as the company has the capacity and experience for the construction of the substation.

He solicited maximum cooperation from the community people, especially the youths to ensure prompt completion of the job.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Clan Head of Ididep, Chief Nwanakwo Nkanta, assured the federal government and the contractor of maximum cooperation from the community to complete the project as scheduled.

He thanked the President and the federal government for the project, stressing that the community had suffered for epileptic power supply over the years.