The Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Jeddy-Agba, performed the groundbreaking for the construction of a 2×30/40MVA substation on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom,
The project, at a cost of N6.8 billion, will increase electricity supply to the region in fulfillment of the president’s campaign promise to Akwa Ibom.
“The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the 2×30/40MVA substation at Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom is expected to be executed in 18 months.
“The project is a campaign promise made in Akwa Ibom. I want to thank the people of Idedep for donating the land where the project is located,” Buhari said in his message for the ceremony.
Buhari added that the project will improve service delivery and increase capacity to supply power to Akwa Ibom and neighboring states.
He said the project will strengthen the national grid by increasing the wheel capacity to 25,000MW by 2025.
The President called on Akwa Ibom to provide all necessary support and assistance to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
In his remarks, Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel pledged to support the state government to complete the project on schedule.
Emmanuel was represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Development, Mr. John Etim.
He commended President Buhari for putting aside politics to establish the project in Akwa Ibom.
“As the state government, we will provide all necessary support to ensure the completion of this electricity project,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Philip Okpanefe, the Assistant Director (Transmission), Federal Ministry of Power, called on the public to cooperate and help the contractor to complete it as soon as possible.
He warned that the government would not be happy with the community because of the delay after the funds were released to execute the contract.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Sen. Ita Enang, a former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, said the project would boost the economic growth of the people.
He explained that this would be done because the supply of electricity would facilitate the operation of small scale businesses.
He charged the people to protect the project and cooperate with the contractor to complete it on schedule.
Enang, also a former Special Assistant to the President in the National Assembly (Senate) commended President Buhari for approving the project for Akwa Ibom.
He called on Akwa Ibom people to support the president and vote en masse for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu and all other APC candidates in the general election.