IBIONO IBOM
The Federal Government has commenced 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.
The Assistant Director (Transmission) in theFederal Ministry of Power, Mr Philip Okpanefe,disclosed this in Ididep, Ibiono Ibom, on Friday during the official taking over of 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 with a completion period of 18 months.
He said that the project, upon completion, will strengthen the national grid, improve service delivery and increase capacity to supply more power to Ibiono Ibom and neighbouringcommunities 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 component is about $4.2 million dollars while the local component is about N1.89 billion. When you put them together, it is at 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 to cooperate with and assist the contractor to ensure prompt completion of the project, warning against any distraction that could cause delay.
“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 youth restiveness, for them to work at a good pace to ensure the project is completed as scheduled,” Okpanefesaid.
The former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator ItaEnang, said the project was part of the President’s campaign promises to Akwa Ibom people.
According to him, when completed, it would enhance the economic growth of the people as small-scale businesses will spring up due to the availability of regular power supply
Enang 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
The Project Manager of JAMEC West Africa Ltd, Mr Afolabi Ademola, assured the people of an efficient job as the company has the capacity and experience for the construction of the substation.
He solicited maximum cooperation from the community, especially the youths to ensure prompt completion of the job.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Group Head of Ididep, Chief NwanakwoNkanta, 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, pointing out that the community had suffered epileptic power supply over the years.
Discussion about this post