Willie Obiano tasks TCN to probe abandoned 132/33kv Ifite-Dunu substation

ANAMBRA, Nigeria – The Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Willie Obiano said increase in power supply is fundamental to creating a business-friendly environment where indigenes and non-indigenes can have opportunities for wealth creation.

He made this known when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, (Power Sector), Louis Edozien, represented by the Director Transmission, Emmanuel Nosike and the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit recently at the Government House, Awka.

The Governor commended the Permanent Secretary and the TCN’s team for the visit, and said that Anambra State had become a one-stop shop for investors, that this was confirmed in a recent publication by the Federal Government which revealed that the State came from the bottom to being number five in ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The Governor further added that he would do everything in his power to increase power supply in the area, and in the State generally. He noted that he had put together competent people as members of the power committee and expressed the hope that working together with the TCN team, Anambra State would in no distance time, be the light of the nation.

He called on the MD/CEO of TCN to investigate the non-completion of the 132/33kV substation at Ifite- dunu, which was awarded to MBH Power Limited for its completion would enable the delivery of more power through the 132kV transmission line from Onitsha.

The Permanent Secretary (Power), Louis Edozien, represented by the Director Transmission, Emmanuel Nosike promised the Governor that the Ministry in conjunction with TCN would do everything necessary to find solution to any electricity challenge in the State. He noted that with adequate electricity supply in Anambra State, places like Onitsha, Nnewi and industrial centers will have more energy to work with, businesses will thrive and poverty will be reduced.

The Managing Director of TCN, Usman Gur Mohammed lauded the efforts of Willie Obiano in getting things done in the State. He disclosed that in an effort to make electricity available in the country, the Company was working with State Governments to sort out Right of Way (RoW) issues which usually frustrates projects implementation. He appealed to the governor to assist TCN in resolving the Right of Way challenge along Nnobi axis, adding that TCN also needs support in acquiring land beside existing GCM Power Transmission Substation, to enable it increase its capacity with additional 60MVA and 100MVA 132/33kV power transformers.

The Governor who said he had been looking forward to the meeting, consented to TCN’s requests, stating that he would meet with the Igwe, the Chairman of the Power Committee, the Secretary to the State Government, and Commissioner for lands to strategize on how to facilitate the acquisition of land and resolution of RoW issues to enable TCN fast track projects implementation.