The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has given kudos to Enugu State Government for its support in seeking the completion of the power project being handled by the company in the university town of Nsukka.
This was disclosed byTCN’s Assistant General Manager, Transmission, Enugu Sub-station, Bakare Kazim, while speaking to journalists in Nsukka.
It was gathered that since 2006, the important power line project had been stalled owing to disputes between the TCN and host communities over right of way.
The project is so viable that when completed, it would boost electricity supply to millions of residents in the Enugu North senatorial district of the state, dailypost says.
Kazim said that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration had set the pace in helping to resolve the issue of transmission access line acquisition, which almost stalled the progress of work at the 30MVA injection sub-station in Nsukka.
Kazim said, “This 30 MVA injection sub-station has been completed since 2006 but for the problem of litigation and inaccessibility of the power line, it was not possible to hook up the station.
“Consequently, our managing director, Mohammed Gur, made a move and contacted Enugu State Government and they had a wonderful discussion and he was able to convince the government to help secure the right-of-way and access issue.
“If this facility is left unused, it would continue to deteriorate, despite the fact that it is a new sub-station. The MD met with the governor and they had a fruitful discussion and he (the governor) helped us tremendously to secure the access line to the station. As I speak with you, main access has been cleared,” he stated.
He added that the plant would give 24 mega watts of power, which would augment the 12 mega watts coming from the obsolete 66KVA voltage level from Oji River, which, according to him, had been phased out in the entire nation.
He gave an assurance that upon completion, it would enhance power generation in Nsukka and environs. He warned those acquiring property close to TCN line to desist forthwith to avoid litigation problems.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the state’s Rural Electrification Board, Simon Atigwe, said that the state government decided to wade into the matter to resolve the issue of the right-of-way, so as to give succour to the residents, who need the service of the facility.
