FG, JICA to partner on power transmission expansion in Lagos, Ogun States

By Etuka Sunday 

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Power is to partner with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the implementation of transmission expansion programme aimed at expanding the power transmission network to support the rapidly expanding industries in Lagos and Ogun States.

Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu FNSE while receiving the JICA delegation in his office, Monday, 7th  Feburary,2022  expressed the delight of the Federal government of Nigeria on the cooperation and assured JICA of President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to ensure best practices are applied particularly to infrastructural development in the electricity supply industry in Nigeria.

Noting that transmission is a major stake of government which is targeted at raising operational capacity to an appreciable level particularly at areas where industries are rapidly expanding, Abubakar  further said  consultancy services for line route studies, environmental and social impact assessment, environmental social management plan for the proposed JICA transmission projects in Lagos and Ogun states has been completed.

Speaking earlier, Sasaki Taigo, Senior Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Nigeria office  and team lead said their mission was to confirm the content of loan agreement and project memorandum of the Lagos and Ogun power transmission system improvement project with relevant Ministries and implementation Agencies among others. He further said   meetings with relevant authorities will commence with the aim of having the loan agreement signed in March, 2022

A statement by the ministry of power said, the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme to be carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria through a loan of $200million to be obtained from the Japan International Cooperation Agency is to provide about 203KM high voltage transmission lines and 6 high voltage substations which cover 5 LGAs in Ogun State and 1 LGAs in Lagos State with appropriately 200 communities affected.

The counterpart funding for compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAP), Consultancy services for line route studies, environmental and social impact assessment, environmental social management plan for the proposed JICA transmission projects in Lagos and Ogun states is reflected in the 2021/ 2022 appropriation of the Ministry.