The minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has lamented that land encroachment along power lines was the main reason delaying federal government’s plan to increase the power supply to Kano by 2,000 megawatts.
The minister stated this while accompanied by the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, on inspection of the Dan Agundi Power Transmission Substation in Kano.
The minister said the problem must be addressed to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, to energize newly completed double circuit lines.
The minister said that all the ongoing power projects would be completed and put to use by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to ensure stable electricity supply across Nigeria, through continuous enhancement of the wheeling capacity of the TCN and more investment in renewable energy through Rural Electrification Agency, REA.
In his remark, Mr Ganduje promised to assist in relocating the people that are occupying the TCN right of way so as to allow the reconductoring of Kumbotso-Dan Agundi power line that is over 54–years old.
Mr Aliyu also inspected the Kumbotso Transmission Substation, Rimin Zakara Transmission Substation and the 1 megawatt Peak Interconnected Solar Mini Grid Zawachiki.
According to the minister, the three projects were aimed at improving electricity supply in Kano, Katsina and environs.
At the 330/132/33 KV Rimin Zakara transmission substation, Mr Aliyu noted that work had been completed. He also said efforts were being made in collaboration with Kano state government to resolve right of way issues that had been delaying the project.
“This is a project started by President Muhammadu Buhari and has been completed. Unfortunately, encroachment on lands across the power lines of the transmission station have been causing delay to the project which is crucial to improving electricity to Kano and Katsina. With the support of Kano state government we are working towards resolving these challenges,” the minister said.
At the Zawachiki 1-megawatt interconnected solar mini grid, the minister commended the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, for delivering on the project which is crucial to governments commitment to energy from renewable sources.
The managing director of REA, Ahmed Salihijo, who conducted the minister round the projected said that project was delivered on time and would energize rural communities.
