The Japanese Government on Thursday granted Nigeria 1.3 billion Yen (approximately $11 million) to improve electricity supply in the country.
The grant is coming through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, Japan Ambassador to Nigeria, said the grant was meant to improve electricity supply facilities in Abuja and its environs.
Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, signed on behalf of Nigeria.
Kusaoke explained that the power sector had been one of the priority areas in Japan’s development assistance to Nigeria.
According to him, since the 1970s, Japan has been helping to strengthen the capacity of Kainji Hydro Power Station to boost power supply in Nigeria.
He also said that his country had always partnered Nigeria to provide electricity for its rural areas, especially in the northern part.
“Power sector is key to improve the quality of life for people and also to promote industry; and it will make Abuja more attractive for investors as well as residents.
“Power is one of the determinant factors when both domestic and foreign investors decide whether or not to invest in a country,’’ he said.
According to the ambassador, our mantra is to accelerate Nigeria’s economic development by helping to attract more investments through improve power sector.
He assured that Japan would assist Nigeria to prevent voltage drop, reduce power loss and stabilise power supply to approximately 7,000 households in Abuja and Nassarawa State.
“Japan’s support is to procure and install power capacitor banks at the existing two substations in Abuja and Nasarawa State to reduce transmission loss and stabilise electricity,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Udo-Udoma said the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with Japan in the effort to development the country.
“This ministry will ensure an enabling environment required for the sustainability of this partnership.
“Our doors are open and we will welcome suggestions and ideas on how best to establish stronger ties for the mutual benefit of both countries,’’ he said.
Udoma, while thanking JICA for the grant, gave the assurance that Nigeria would work closely with other stakeholders to achieve sustainable economic development.
