The Nigerian Government is partnering with the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA on the implementation of transmission expansion programme.
The programme is aimed at expanding the power transmission network to support the rapidly expanding industries in Lagos and Ogun States.
Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu while receiving the JICA delegation in his office in Abuja, assured them of government’s resolve to ensure that best practices are applied particularly to infrastructure development in the electricity supply industry in Nigeria.
He noted that transmission is a major stake of government which is targeted at raising operational capacity to an appreciable level particularly at areas where industries are rapidly expanding.
According to him, consultancy services for line route studies, environmental and social impact assessment and social management plan for the proposed JICA transmission projects in Lagos and Ogun states have been completed.
Loan agreement
Senior Representative JICA, Nigeria office, Sasaki Taigo and team lead said their mission was to confirm the content of loan agreement and project memorandum of the Lagos and Ogun power transmission system improvement project with relevant Ministries and implementation Agencies.
He said meetings with relevant authorities will commence with the aim of having the loan agreement signed in March 2022.
The Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme to be carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria through a loan of $200million to be obtained from the JICA is to provide about 203km high voltage transmission lines and six high voltage substations which cover five Local Government Areas in Ogun State and one Local government Area in Lagos State with appropriately 200 communities affected.
The counterpart funding for compensation of Project Affected Persons, Consultancy services for line route studies, environmental and social impact assessment, environmental social management plan for the proposed JICA transmission projects in Lagos and Ogun states is reflected in the 2021/ 2022 appropriation of the Ministry.
Nneka Ukachukwu
