The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N1.9 billion for the overhaul of the Onitsha-New Haven 330 KV transmission line to boost electricity supply across Onitsha-Enugu-Abakaliki-Makurdi axis.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stated this after the FEC meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“This very project that is now going to be done will reinforce not only what we have but also increase the capacity of the entire transmission network to wheel out twice what we are now doing.
“So that the issue of stranded power when you have not even enough power to supply and yet some power is stranded will be taken care of.
“When this is happening, a lot of jobs will be created. As this work is being done as much as 3,000 jobs will be created and when it is completed there is going to be a total rejuvenation of the industrial sector.’’
He said the project would involve the supply of 746 Km of Aluminum Conductor Composite Core Reinforced (ACCR) for the re-conduction of the Onitsha-New Haven 330 KV transmission line.
According to him, the project will generate employment of about 3,000 workers during the installation of the conductor.
He further stated that the multiplier effect of additional 400 MW of power to the thriving areas of New Haven, Abakaliki and Makurdi would stimulate the generation of over one million jobs.
Nebo expressed the hope that the reinforcement of the line would improve the nation’s transmission capacity and facilitate the evacuation of stranded generation from Afam and Okpai power plants.
He said that the project would be funded from the $135 million allocated to the Transmission Company of Nigeria from the proceeds of the Eurobond.
The Minister also appealed to the media to assist in educating communities on the need to protect oil and gas pipelines in their respective domains.
He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for approving the provision of power supply to 107 rural communities through the Ministry’s power scheme, named ‘’Operation Light up Rural Nigeria’’.
Nebo said the affected communities would be provided with electricity through the Solar Power Technology at a cheaper rate.
Earlier, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, told the State House correspondents that President Jonathan inaugurated the governing councils of the Federal Character Commission and the Pension Commission.
He said the World Health Organisation presented a certificate to the President, signifying that Nigeria was free from Guinea Worm.
