FG, Japan Sign Agreement for Emergency Power Supply in Abuja

Ndubuisi Francis

The federal government and Japan have signed an agreement for an emergency improvement of power supply facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State.

The agreement would see the Japanese government extend a N1.3 billion yen grant, (approximately $11 million and over N2 billion), to upgrade two substations in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

The agreement, which makes the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing the implementing partner, will lead to the procurement and installation of power capacitor banks at the existing substations in Abuja and the neighbouring Nasarawa, to decrease the transmission loss and stabilise power supply to approximately 7,000 households in Abuja.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony yesterday, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the ‘Electricity Supply Facilities Project’ by the Japanese government was intended to, among others, complement Nigeria’s efforts at guaranteeing steady power supply for economic growth.

“The support is in tandem with the aspiration of the current administration’s change agenda and its quest for ensuring the delivery of democracy dividends to the citizenry,” the minister said.

He stated that the project was designed to support Nigeria in promoting socio-economic and infrastructural development.

“In particular, the project aims to install capacitor banks in Apo and Keffi Substations in FCT and Nasarawa State respectively and will contribute to stable power supply, decrease transmission loss and improve system reliability.

“The sustained implementation of this project is expected to pave way for a significant access to quality socio-economic services, thereby leading to reduction in unemployment on the country and promoting community empowerment,” Udoma said.

He thanked the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, and the chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Nigeria office, Sadanobu Kusaoke for Japan’s commitment and dedication towards the development of Nigeria.

He urged the Japanese government not to relent in her efforts to extend further developmental support at this critical time that the country is undergoing various reforms and making tough choices to improve the economy.

In his address, Ambassador Kusaoke, noted that the power sector had long been one of the priority areas in Japan’s development cooperation in Nigeria.

According to him, as early as the 70s, Japan helped finance strengthening the capacity of Kainji Hydro power station even as it partnered with Nigeria to electrify rural areas, mainly in the northern part of the country.