The Federal Executive Council approved a total of N28 billion for power projects on Wednesday, focusing on initiatives to be implemented by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The primary project involves the reconductoring of at least 1,022 kilometres of national‑grid lines, at a cost of N26.6 billion. A second project will procure 20 transformer ton analysers for N1.4 billion.
Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu disclosed these details while briefing State House correspondents after the Council meeting, which was chaired by President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. He explained that reconductoring is essential to prevent the sagging of transmission cables, as the existing lines are heavier, weaker, and now pose a hazard.
Aliyu said the first memo he presented sought approval for contracts to reconductor 132 kV single‑ and double‑circuit transmission lines across the country. The scope includes a 173‑km Kumbotso‑Hadejia line traversing Kano and Jigawa states, a 105‑km Kumbotso‑Kankiya line crossing Kano and Katsina, and a 90‑km Benin‑Irrua line together with the 72‑km Irrua‑Okpella, 48‑km Okpella‑Okene, and 58‑km Okene‑Ajaokuta sections in Edo and Kogi states. These projects comprise offshore components of $11.19 million and $12.81 million, and on‑shore components of N421.49 million and N630.59 million respectively.
Additional upgrades include the 394‑km Gombe‑Biu‑Damboa‑Maiduguri line (costing $18.37 million and N590.81 million), an eight‑kilometre Port Harcourt main‑Port Harcourt town segment, a 10‑km Alaoji‑Aba stretch, a 165‑km Osogbo‑Offa‑Omuaran‑Gammo‑Ilorin line, and a 72‑km Onitsha‑Ojiriba line (with offshore and on‑shore costs of $10.76 million and N504.18 million). The total for these four components is N53.13 million, plus an on‑shore component of N2.13 billion. All are existing lines being upgraded: old wires will be removed and replaced with lighter, more efficient conductors that can carry greater loads, reducing frequent breaker trips caused by overloads. The minister said the projects are slated for completion within 12 months.
The second memo approved by the Council concerns the contract to procure the 20 transformer ton analysers for TCN. These state‑of‑the‑art devices test transformer reliability under switchgear conditions. The contract, valued at N1.4 billion, has been awarded to MSSRS B Field Nigeria Limited, which is expected to deliver the equipment within four months.
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