130 transmission projects abandoned since 2002 – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has decried abandoned over 130 transmission projects since 2002.

The Managing Director, TCN, Engr. Abubakar Atiku, said over 130 power transmission projects have been abandoned across the country since 2002 due to inadequate funds to execute them.

Atiku, who spoke at a public forum organised by Eko Electricity Distribution Plc in Lagos at the weekend, expressed optimism that the incumbent administration would ensure execution of the projects with a view to enabling the power sector add value to the lives of Nigerians.

He said one of the projects in Omotosho/Egbin KVA line would be given priority attention in the 2017 budget.

Nigeria has the capacity to generate 7,500MW of electricity.

He, however, regretted that the development could not be attained now, causing generation to shrink to about 3,000MW due to gas constraint in the country.

According to him, “Incumbent government is not perturbed by the current challenges facing the transmission segment of the nation’s power sector and is determined to turn the challenges to opportunities which would spur the growth of the sector.”

The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Honourable Dan Asuquo, emphasized that the lower chamber was cooperating with the Federal Government to ensure the growth of the nation’s power sector.

Head, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Hardley BlueJack, assured of his agency’s desire to make the power sector work through appropriate regulations which should be strictly adhered to by both service providers in the sector and the consumers.

The Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, Engr. Oladele Amoda, revealed that there was no visible investment in the power sector 30 years before selling the assets of the successor companies of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the private sector.

He also said 70 per cent of the assets were in dilapidated form when the assets were sold in 2013, adding that investors had actually spurred the growth of the sector hitherto in spite of the liquidity challenge.

He said his company was desirous of giving its best to the customers with a view to satisfying them and providing value addition services. He added that the company has in the last three years metered substantial number of its customers, even as he said it has also placed order for 138 transformers in order to ensure steady supply of electricity to customers during the yuletide.