Federal Govt approves contracts for N26bn in electricity conductors, transformers

A total of $53.1 million and N2.1 billion have been authorized by the federal government for the purchase and installation of electricity conductors and transformers that will help the nation’s power supply grow.

This is equivalent to N26 billion at the official exchange rate of N450 to the dollar.
The federal government has also approved a resolution calling for the purchase of an electronic cargo tracking system for the nation’s ports.

Yesterday, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu revealed this to State House reporters.
He claims that once installed, the conductors will assist in resolving the issue of circuit breakers frequently tripping as a result of overloaded electrical lines.
The Minister also revealed the cost of the conductors also includes a Naira component of N2.1billion.

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“The total amount for these four components of conductors is $53,131, 128.93 plus an onshore component of N2, 127, 068, 626. 45,” he said.
He claimed that the new conductors would be used to upgrade current power lines in order to increase their effectiveness.

These lines are already there and are being upgraded. New wires will be installed in their place, and the difference between the two is that the new ones are more efficient because they can support heavier loads.

They will lessen sagging because as wires age, they sag and become more brittle and heavy. The challenges of constant breaker trips brought on by overloading of these lines will be greatly reduced because these ones are lighter and can carry more electricity, he said.
The 173-kilometer Kubotso-Hadeja line, the 105-kilometer Kumbotso-Kankiya line, the 90-kilometer Benin-Irrua line, the 72-kilometer Irrua-Okpella line, the 48-kilometer Okpella-Okenne line, the 58-kilometer Okenna-Ajaokuta line, and the 394-kilometer Gombe-Biu-Damboa-Mai

The minister also revealed that a N1.46 billion contract for the purchase of 20 transformer ratio analyzers for the Nigerian Transmission Company was approved by council.

In the meantime, the ability to obtain the cargo tracking device would in no small measure aid port operators in detecting under-declaration of goods intended for import or export, ensure accurate invoicing, ensure concealment, wrong calculations, and other questionable practices within the port corridors, according to Minister of Transportation Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, who also spoke after the FEC meeting.Beyond these, the Minister said the facility is to be deployed by a Belgium firm Autisa in conjunction with other indigenous firms in Nigeria at no extra cost to the government.

He disclosed that when fully operational, it is expected to shore up the revenue base of government from $90million dollars to $235milion per annum.

He pointed out that after being installed, the device would also establish a system for effectively tracking crude oil export, including eradicating oil theft, which had recently become widespread.

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He disclosed that the facility was already in use by Ghana and the Republic of Benin, among other nations, and that it had been successful.
“We are considering putting in an electronic cargo tracking system that will handle under-declarations, secure our export and import, and handle cargo billing. The Minister pointed out that a number of nations, including Ghana, Benin Republic, and others, have already started using it and have all seen improvements in their port services, particularly with regard to problems with concealment and incorrect cargo calculations.