By Etuka Sunday
The Minister of State Power, Mohammed Wakil has commended the efforts of President Goodluck in the power sector, insisting that North East is particularly grateful for the many landmark power projects in the region.
“Jonathan has implemented the most ambitious and very successful power sector reform in Africa, major international agencies have acknowledged this fact. The President deserves re-election on this count alone”, the Minister declared.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Olawale Rasheed, quoted Wakil to have made the declaration while addressing the Peace rally of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) in Gombe.
According to the statement, the Minister said the great record of Mr. President is directly visible to the North- East region where many moribund projects have been revived and where new projects have been added.
“The President has broken jinx of the Mambilla hydro dam which is worth about seven billion dollar. The dam is to generate over three thousand Mega Watts and is about the biggest on the continent. This project has been on the drawing board since 1970. This president has given marching order for the signing of the Mambilla hydro dam by this October.
“The Kashambilla hydro dam has reached about 95 percent completion. This is in addition to the new transmission lines across the zone.
“For us in Borno state, our experience with Jonathan Administration is the best since our state was created. We are pushing ahead with the 330kv transmission sub-station to be located in the region. And the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has just approved another transformer for the state. This is the first time an addition to the transmission capacity of Borno state is been made since 1976”, the Minister told the crowd.
Meanwhile, Hon Wakil toured the sites of ongoing power projects located in Borno state. Despite the security challenges, the minister visited the sub-station at Baga road in Maiduguri where the newly approved transformer will be located.
The minister also visited the site of the 330KV transmission sub-station located along dangerous Damboa road. Work was temporarily suspended at the site due to security challenges. The minister said work will resume again after the tightening of security at the various power installations across the state.
