From Edwin Olofu, Kano
The Kano state Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso hinted that the second Independent Power Project at Challawa Gorge dam, which will gulp N10 billion, will be completed in March, 2015. The two projects will therefore costs the state government the total sum of N14, 228,825, 600.
Both projects, with a total capacity of 35 megawatts of electricity, are being financed 100 percent by the state government without obtaining any loan and are being executed by Skipper Transmission and Distribution, a subsidiary of Skipper Group of India. Kwankwaso pointed out that, Kano state, the famous commercial center of Northern Nigeria, like all states in country faces inadequate power supply, forcing public agencies, industries and private residences to depend largely on diesel-powered generators.
He said the two Kano power projects put together are the biggest in Northern Nigeria and the most capital intensive project to be embarked upon by his administration which on completion will transform the economy of the state.
The Governor explained that “10 megawatts of electricity will be produced from Tiga while 25 megawatts will prod uced from Challawa. If this project had been executed since the 1970s, only God knows how many people would have benefitted from it by now.” He further stated that significant progress has been achieved in producing turbines for the projects in India, explaining that the on completion, the power generated would be used to service Tamburawa and Challawa water works, street lights and as well as the ailing manufacturing sector in the state.
Giving a brief technical report on the project, the Project Consultant who is also the President, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Balarabe Shehu, observed that although Tiga and Challawa dams were designed and constructed for multi purposes, the power projects will in no way reduce the discharge of water used for domestic water supply and irrigation purposes.
In his remarks, the Joint Group President, Skipper T & D, Mr. Pankaj Sachdeva said his company has successfully executed several power projects spread across Nigeria and is ready to deliver the Kano projects efficiently and on schedule.
Speaking after the foundation laying ceremony, the former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari showered praises on Kwankwaso for initiating the power projects said “these are the type of projects that will be of immense benefit to the people. Our major problem is with the collapse of infrastructure mainly that of power which affects employment and, therefore, industries and goods and services can only be appreciated by people like Governor Kwankwaso, who is so committed to serve the people and the country”.
“If you want to know how your government performed during this democratic dispensation from 1999 to date, it is through the position of infrastructure in your environment – from local government to the state and government at the centre,” Gen. Buhari added.
