Federal Government has begun the construction of 132/33 KV power sub-stations in Ijesa Isu Ekiti and Ilupeju Ekiti, to improve power generation and supply to the people.
Minister of Power Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu described the project as strategic, noting that it would have impact on power transmission in Ekiti and its environs.
Aliyu, represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, spoke yesterday at the groundbreaking signalling the beginning of construction work on the power substation.
The minister said the project was part of the many projects being undertaken by the TCN in pursuit of grid expansion programme, in line with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for extension of the power sector for sustainable development.
He said when the two power substations at Ijesa Isu and Ilupeju Ekiti were completed, they would relieve the one in Ado-Ekiti of its load and bring better power supply to the hinterland.
Aliyu said: “The TCN is executing substation projects, which are at various stages of completion. This is an indication that the Federal Government is not relenting in ensuring that the nation’s power sector receives the desired boost.”
He said the Ministry of Power would monitor the timeline of the project as contracted, while TCN engineers would ensure effective supervision of the project to ensure that there were no lapses.
Governor Kayode Fayemi, who expressed delight that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the TCN in 2020 resulted in commencement of work, said the project was borne out of the collaboration of his administration with the Federal Government to solve epileptic power supply.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Bisi Egbeyemi, advised the contractor on the need to ensure the construction of quality project, saying: “The people are interested in early completion without compromising standard.”
Fayemi also restated the commitment of his administration to the ongoing work on the Independent Power Project (IPP) aimed at boosting power supply to government offices and facilities in Ado-Ekiti, to generate additional 5 megawatts.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, noted that the project, when completed, would complement plans of the state government to improve the quality of energy supply to the 16 local governments and 19 local council development areas.