From Garba Abdullahi Bagwai in Kano
The Federal Government has commissioned an 80MVA, 132kV transmission substation at Walalambe in Kano State to boost electricity supply, support industrial growth and improve power distribution across the state.
Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi, disclosed this on Friday at the commissioning ceremony, saying the facility would provide an additional electricity injection point and ease pressure on existing transmission infrastructure.
He said the project was expected to improve electricity supply to Tokarawa Industrial Area, Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Mariri, Farm Centre, Zaria Road and adjoining communities.
According to the minister, the substation would also provide a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, an industrial establishment that has operated off-grid for more than 30 years.
He said the development would enhance production, encourage business expansion and create employment opportunities.
Olasunkanmi explained that the Federal Government had designated Kano, Kaduna and Abuja as energy zones in the northern axis, adding that technical audits were ongoing to identify infrastructure gaps and support efforts to achieve 24-hour electricity supply.
The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Sule Ahmed, said the project, conceived in 2005, would improve bulk electricity supply and reduce pressure on the Dakata and Dan’agundi transmission substations.
He added that 132/33kV power transformers had also been commissioned at the Kumbotso and Dan’agundi substations to further strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure in the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Mr Gaddafi Sani, commended the Federal Government and TCN for the project.
The governor said Kano’s electricity demand could reach 1,000 megawatts, while the state currently received about 300 megawatts or less, which it shared with Jigawa and Katsina states.
He called for an increase in electricity allocation to Kano to meet the growing demand of households, businesses and industries.
Yusuf also urged the Federal Government to address right-of-way challenges affecting other power projects in the state.
He disclosed that the state government had paid N2 billion in compensation and allocated land to 750 claimants to resolve a longstanding dispute at Rimin Zakara.
