Jonathan Promises Adequate Funding For Power Sector

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (right) with Chief Godspower Ake, state chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly after an interactive session between party members and the governor at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt, on Monday.

The Federal Government will inject more funds into the power sector due to its multiplier effect on national development, President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday.

The President made the remarks at the inauguration of the new 150 mVA/330/132/33kVA power transformer at the Mando power transmission station in Kaduna.

He said adequate power generation remained top on the administration’s agenda due to its ability to stimulate economic development.

According to him, developing the sector is the only way the country can take its rightful place as a modern state in the comity of nations.

“Those who follow development in the country will recall that in the advent of the administration, power generation was on the top of our agenda.

“This project is important to the entire transmission currently being reinforced to cope with the increasing demand for electricity in the Northern part of our country,” the President said.

He said similar projects had been inaugurated in other parts of the country and expressed the administration’s determination to undertake more.  Jonathan commended the PHCN for carrying out the installation and urged the organisation to continue with the spirit of hard work for the realisation of the nation’s visioning programme.

Our correspondent reports that the 150 MVA transformer and another 60 mVA facility were installed at the cost of about N563 million.

The new transformers are expected to improve electricity supply to major cities in the North.

The transmission station was inaugurated in 1968 with an initial transformer capacity of 2×60 MVA 330/132/13.8 kV from where electricity was supplied to most cities in the North.

It was, however, upgraded at various times.

In 2009, the 330/132 KV substation was upgraded to 270 MVA to supply electricity to Kaduna, Zaria, Funtua, Gusau and Talata-Mafara.