‘Improved power infrastructure to improve sub-regional economies’

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for continuous improvement in electricity supply as part of measures to enable economic activities across the country.

Speaking while commissioning a 2x60MVA, 132/33KV Awka substation in Anambra State, built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), Osinbajo said the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow in the country.

He noted that improving infrastructure was necessary for the growth of small businesses, adding that the substation would deliver about 100 Megawatts of power to Anambra state capital and its environs.

“The economy of Nigeria largely depends on effort that is made at the sub-national level, that is, the state level. It is the aggregation of the work that is done in the states that leads to the great economy that we hope for and are working for in this nation of ours.

“Anambra State revenue has increased from about N10.4 billion in 2014 to N26.37 billion by 2019 and this is another 152 percent increase in the state’s IGR.

“Enabling environment and ease of doing business measures that have been implemented in Anambra state has seen it become one of the fastest growing manufacturing hubs in the country.

“Nnewi which houses key local manufacturing companies including Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing, Tommy Tommy Industries, Chikason Group amongst others is evidence of the entrepreneurial ability of the Nigerian people and the drive that is possible but also importantly the enabling environment that states can create,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo added that industrial growth of the state happened despite power supply challenges, stating that the administration was committed to ensuring the completion of the Awka NIPP 132KVA grid substation, which now provides a hitherto unavailable 70MW additional power capacity for driving industrial growth and boosting the economy of the state.

Anambra state Governor, Willie Obiano, who believes that the infrastructure would aid the industrialization plans of the state said improved power supply would enable industries to become more productive and cost efficient.

The Managing Director of NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo disclosed that besides the industries, about a million households in Awka and its environs will benefit from improved power supply.

He explained that the project is one of the several transmission projects conceived under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) being implemented by NDPHC as part of the effort of the government of the Federation towards improving electricity transmission infrastructure in the country.