The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Ekiti State on the construction of the construction of the Ado Ekiti – Ilupeju and Ado Ekiti – Ijesha Ishu 132/33kV Transmission line and associated 2x60MVA 132/33kV substations at Ilupeju and Ijesha Ishu within the state.
The state governor Dr Kayode Fayemi represented by his deputy Otumba Bisi Egbeyemi expressed delight that the MoU would result in new transmission lines as well as two new substations that would help ameliorate the poor electricity supply situation in the state.
This was contained in the story that our Abuja correspondent sighted on the TCN website Thursday.
According to TCN, Fayemi said presently, the state has only one number 132kV transmission substation which is very inadequate for the state.
The projects when completed would provide conducive environment for industrial development.
He noted that his administration is deeply concerned about improving infrastructural projects, to help its citizens attain economic stability and ultimately revolutionize the state.
He urged TCN to look at the place of Ekiti State in its network with the view to improving TCN’s presence and boosting bulk supply in the state, to enable the government achieve its five-cardinal program for its citizens.
He assured that the state would create an enabling environment under which TCN would effectively complete the project, noting that the people of the state have lost confidence in the power sector and that measures including TCN projects would help address that.
He called for other stakeholders in the power sector to endeavor to upgrade their facilities and urged that they develop a synergy among themselves to provide better services that electricity consumers in the state would be proud of.
Earlier, while welcoming TCN team to Ekiti State, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Hon. Dele Fagbanusi said that the MoU signifies physical attempt to reduce the perpetual low power voltage and positively impact economic activities in the lives of the 82,300 electricity consumers within the 134 communities in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to him, the signing of the MoU is the result of the commitment of the Governor to finding solution to the poor power situation in the state. The state he explained, would take care of Right of Way and provide land for the two substations projects, He appealed to TCN to compete the projects on time.
Speaking on behalf of the MD/CEO of TCN, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, the Head Transmission Service Provider (TSP) – TCN, Engr. Victor Adewumi said that TCN wants to kickstart the 132kV double Circuit lines and the two substations projects at Ilupeju and Ijesha Ishu simultaneously.
He acknowledged the fact that the singular 132kV transmission substation in the state was inadequate which is why TCN is collaborating with the state government to construct the double circuit transmission line and substations.
On completion of these projects, the voltage profile of electricity in the state would normalize. He said that the collaboration with the state would ensure faster delivery of the projects which he noted can be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
The MoU specifically put the responsibility of providing the Right of Way (RoW) for the transmission project and the provision of land for the two substation projects on the Government of Ekiti State, while TCN would be responsible for procuring the equipment, all engineering works/installation and commissioning of the substations and lines.
With the execution of the MoU between TCN and Ekiti government, TCN would now commence processes leading to contract signing and execution.