Gombe State Govt. ready to partner with TCN to improve Power Supply

MD/CEO, TCN, Mr. U.G. Mohammed addressing pressmen after inspection of Gagarawa TS, Jigawa State

and sites handed over to the contractor while the review and approval of preliminary design d r a w i n g s / d o c u m e n t s a r e ongoing.

Lots 5&6 under the Abuja Feeding Scheme include a new 3x60MVA, 132/33kV Kuje Substation with 4x132kV Line Bays; 2x60MVA, 132/33kV Substation with 2x132kV line bays at Wumba/Lokogoma including laying of 5KM length of underground XLPE Cable from New Apo to Wumba/Lokogoma as well as a new 2x60MVA, 132/33kV GIS Substation at Dawaki on existing 132kV double circuit with a Turn in & out, along the Katampe-Suleja Transmission Line.

T h e N i g e r i a E l e c t r i c i t y

Transmission Project (NETAP) seeks to redress certain deficiencies and operational constraints of the Nigerian Power Transmission System, to allow for efficient dispatch and transmission of power in the National Grid through additional transformer capacity. In particular, it will complement efforts underway for both emergency and long-term measures now being taken to increase generation. The project is financed by World Bank at the cost of USD 486Million.

For Lots 5&6, the advance payment has equally been made and sites handed over to contractors, the subcontractor of underground cable route from Wumba to New Apo Substation has also been approved even as the review and approval of p r e l i m i n a r y d e s i g n drawings/documents are already in progress. The project is in three (3) packages; two (2) have passed prequalification stage, while the third is at pre-qualification stage.

Pre-qualification of the Northern C o r r i d o r P r o j e c t i s a l m o s t completed. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and will cover the closing of loop between Sokoto to Kaura Namoda and Katsina. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this project as well as verification for compensation for the right of way are on-going. The project loan is USD 300Million.

The Lagos/Ogun transmission

project worth USD 238Million is financed by JICA. The project design, EIA studies, technical studies and r e s e t t l e m e n t a c t i o n p l a n a n d compensation have been concluded, compensation request has been forwarded to BPP for due diligence and is expected to be concluded by the third quarter of the year.

The MD further noted that the Lagos/Ogun transmission project is significant because it targets the most industrialised parts of the country.

TCN is determined to continue to pursue its grid expansion drive and would do all it could to ensure quality project delivery in a timely manner.

AfDB MEET WITH TCN ON FINAL APPRAISAL OF NTEP1 TO IMPROVE BULK ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE NORTHEAST

By Grace Sambe-Jauro

Cross section of participants at the meeting

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has met with the Transmission Company

of Nigeria (TCN), for the final a p p r a i s a l o f t h e N i g e r i a n Transmission Expansion Program ( N T E P 1 ) , u n d e r T C N ' s Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP), towards improving access, quality and reliable bulk electricity supply to the northeast region of Nigeria

. The team, led by Mr. Phillipe O s s o u c a J n r , m e t w i t h t h e Management of TCN on Monday 1st July 2019 at the TCN Corporate Headquarters, Abuja, to assess TCN's readiness, as well as project documentation for NTEP1 project.

According to Mr. Ossouca, the project appraisal report would be presented to the Board of AfDB by the end of July 2019. The project, which is estimated to cost $200M, is intended to boost electricity supply to the northeast which would positively impact economic activities in the region. He assured TCN of AfDB's support in facilitating efficient and quality electricity supply within the country.

In his response, the MD/CEO TCN, Mr Usman Gur Mohammed, appreciated the team for the visit, assuring them that staff assigned to supervise the NTEP1 project will be on ground to work with them and provide necessary documents and answers they may require.

He disclosed that TCN would soon embark on NTEP2 projects which would include the construction of eleven (11) 132/33kV substations and the provision of line bay extension to six (6) existing 132/33kV substations in the northeast region. Dr. S.T. Garba, Assistant Director International Affairs, Federal Ministry of Finance, reiterated the ministry's commitment towards the commencement of the project, and u r g e d T C N t o h a s t e n t h e Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which was stalling progress of the project.

The Project Manager, TCN Project Implementation Unit, (AfDB PIU) Engr. A. M. Abdulazeez noted that 'Invitation for Prequalification' of contractors to supply materials for the project would be published later within the Month of July 2019, r e v e a l i n g t h a t t h e f i r s t prequalification advert is for Engineering design, Procurement, Manufacture, Supply, Construction & C o m m i s s i o n i n g o f t h e 330/132/33kV Substations.

ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT,

TCN STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION ON POWER PROJECTS

By Osuagwu Uloma

Th e A n a m Government M e m o r a b r a has n d s u S t a igned m t o e a f

Understanding (MoU) with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to facilitate the completion of on-going power transmission projects that would increase bulk power supply to the state.

The State Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, who signed the MoU on behalf of the state government when he paid a courtesy visit to TCN management on Wednesday, 21st August 2019, at the TCN headquarters, Abuja, commended TCN for the improved power supply in Nnewi Substation, an industrial town in Anambra State. This, he said, has helped boost economic activities in the area. He noted that the state has invested in Awada Substation to enable over 32 communities benefit from the bulk power supply.

He decried the poor power situation in Anambra North Senatorial District, and stated that the future of the state lies in the area due to its huge deposit of gas, which has attracted investors. This potential however is yet to be tapped because of lack of power supply. He called on the MD/CEO of TCN, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, to use his good offices to fast-track the completion of the on-going and planned projects in his state, adding that the state government on its part is doing everything necessary to ensure quick execution of the projects and assured that the challenges of land and Right of Way (RoW) have been solved. He further pledged the support of the state to providing requisite backing that would aid smooth implementation of the projects.

Responding, the MD/CEO TCN, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, commended the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano on the level of infrastructure being put in place as well as his support in helping to solve the issue of Right of Way and challenges of land, noting that TCN is ready to work with the state government to provide bulk stable power to the state. On the issue of improved bulk power supply in Anambra North, Mr. Mohammed said that TCN is working in line with its well articulated and strategically driven Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), to build a 330kV Double Circuit quad line from Alaoji – Owerri – Ihiala – Onitsha; Reconduct the 330kV line from Onitsha – Awka – Oji River; rehabilitate and upgrade the Onitsha Substation; and upgrade the capacity of the 1x60MVA, 132/33kV Substation at General Cotton Mill (GCM); as well as complete the 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substations at Nnewi and Ojoto(Oba).

He assured the governor of timely completion of the Anambra North Project and noted that the earlier c h a l l e n g e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h Procurement process, poor funding, Right of Way issues, which constituted major setbacks in the projects implementation process in the past, have been resolved. He further explained that the project will follow the new procurement procedures and qualification criteria for bidding that will only attract good and qualified contractors who have the capacity to deliver projects on time.