Nigeria and business concerns in the country spend a whopping
$14 billion (N5.075 trillion) per annum on petrol and
diesel-powered generators.
This has contributed in numerous ways to the increase in the
cost of doing business in the country, as well as air and noise
pollution.
This was disclosed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Senior
Director for Nigeria, Ebrima Faal, in his reaction to the approval
by the Bank the sum of $210 million financing package to the
Federal Government, for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project
(NTEP1), which seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade the nation’s power
lines and improve distribution and supply.
The Bank’s Senior Director for Nigeria, Ebrima Faal, in a press
statement said: “Nigerians and their businesses spend $14 billion
annually on inefficient and expensive petrol or diesel-powered
generators.
“This project will contribute significantly to the reduction of
Nigeria’s power deficit, decrease air and noise pollution and
reduce the cost of doing business.”
The AfDB recently approved $210 million financing to the Federal
Government, for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP1),
to rehabilitate and upgrade the nation’s power lines and improve
distribution and supply.
Upon completion, the project will reduce the use of small-scale
diesel generators and therefore contribute to the reduction of GHG
emissions by saving approximately 11,460ktCO2 per year.
Also, it would significantly improve Nigeria’s electricity supply,
and directly impact the economy, industries, businesses and the
quality of life of Nigerians.
To be executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NTEP1 is
part of a $1.6 billion Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion
Programme (TREP).
The Bank’s financing, which comprises $160 million loan, and an
additional $50 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund,
will support construction of 330kV double circuit quad transmission
lines and substations across the country.
The AfDB said the project will upgrade existing 263 km of 330kV
lines, while adding an additional 204 KM of new lines to increase
TCN’s wheeling capacity, stabilize the grid and reduce transmission
losses.
“The project will create about 2,000 direct jobs- 1,500 during
construction and 500 during operations – especially for youth: 30%
of these jobs are expected to be taken by women. By
increasing electricity supplies to Small and Medium Enterprises,
the project will foster the creation of additional indirect jobs,”
the AfDB further said.
The Bank’s Acting Vice-President for Power & Energy, Wale
Shonibare, said implementation of the project would increase
evacuation capacity from the south of the country towards the
north, where power supply is limited.
“NTEP1 will increase the grid transmission stability and
capacity, and reduce the amount of stranded power, whilst improving
power export and regional power system integration to the West
African Power pool, especially through Niger and Benin
interconnections,” he said.
Highlighting the project’s contribution to regional integration
efforts, Batchi Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems
Development said it would benefit from the Bank’s expertise and
proven track record in leading the development of power grids
across the continent, notably in West Africa, with many successful
operations supporting the implementation of interconnectors.
“In line with our work to improve utility performance, NTEP1
will substantially strengthen the capacity of TCN with regards to
the development of energy infrastructure projects, especially the
adoption of modern and more efficient transmission technologies,
which are most required in Nigeria for network improvements,” said
Baldeh.
NTEP-1 is part of the Bank’s response to the power sector crisis
in Nigeria and is aligned with the government’s strategic plans
articulated in its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020)
and Power Sector Recovery Programme.
The project also aligns with the Bank’s High 5 priority to
‘Light up and Power Africa” and the New Deal on Energy in
Africa.
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Kwara Governor Appoints Yinka Aluko Special Duties
Adviser
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has appointed
Mallam Yinka Ahmed Aluko as the Special Adviser Special Duties.
PRNigeria[1] gathered that the
appointment of Yinka Aluko who was a former Special Assistant
Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Adviser on Security to the
Government of Kwara State between 2003 and 2013 was conveyed in an
official letter by the Secretary to the State Government.
Aluko attended Mount Carmel College, Ilorin before he proceeded
to Kwara State College of Tech (now Kwara Polytechnics) for both
National Diploma and Higher Diploma Certificates.
He also obtained Masters of Business Administration from
Kensington University, Glendale, USA 1995; Masters in security and
strategic studies (M.A) University of Ilorin 2013 and conducting
doctorate programme in Security and strategic studies in
Unilorin.
Other positions he held in the past included A Consultant at
Lagos State Accelerated Revenue Program (ARGP) 1996-1997, Senior
Manager, Corporate planning and strategy, PHCN HQ 1997-2003,
Director Kwara State property and investment company (2000-2003),
Yinka Aluko also served as Chairman Federal Medical Centre, Jani,
Abuja 2014- 2017.
He also had a stint at Kwara state Ministry of Finance (ITF)
1984-1986; Union Bank plc, Ilorin (Supervisor) 1986-1990, Group
Merchant Bank, Ikoyi lagos (NYSC) 1992-1993.
The new Special Adviser is a member of several professional
bodies. He is a Fellow of Certified Board of Administrators of
Nigeria (FCBA), Member Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM),
Ambassador, Centre for Peace University of Ilorin and Patron, Kwara
Youth Network (KYN).
He was also conferred with Award of Distinguished personality,
Postgraduate Students Association (POGSASS); Award of Excellence by
National Youth Council of Nigeria and Icon of Service of Kwara
State Security Vigilante and Distinguish personality, Wesley cup
2010.