Governor Ademola Adeleke has commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria for completing many abandoned transmission projects across the country, describing the TCN as the heartbeat of the Nigerian electricity system.
The Governor was at the TCN headquarters to follow up on the preliminary work already done by his Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and the House of Representative member representing Ede/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency , Hon Bamidele Sallam.
This was contained in a release issued by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, The Spokesperson to the Governor on Monday.
Saluting the commitment of the TCN management to sustaining power transmission in Nigeria, Governor Adeleke affirmed that Osun which hosts Osogbo National Transmission Station is a key stakeholder in the nation’s electricity system.
According to the Governor, Osogbo is a critical center for power transmission in Nigeria, describing Osun as “a good host to TCN and other stakeholders.
“We are here to thank the Federal Government through your office for your support so far on the ongoing 132/33 KV Transmission station project at Ede. The project started during late President Yar’Adua’s presidency but work stopped in 2010.
“About three years ago, work started again. Presently, the project has reached between 80 to 90 percent completion. We seek your support for the urgent completion of the project. An early completion will enhance power supply across Osun West and beyond ”, the Governor told top management of the TCN led by the Managing Director, Engr Sule Ahmed Abdulazeez.
Responding, the TCN boss appreciated the direct intervention and commendation by the state Governor, describing the Ede Transmission project as high on the list of projects listed for completion by the Federal Government through the TCN.
Assuring the Governor that the Ede station will be completed soon, Engr Abdulazeez said the project is almost finalised as noted by the Governor.
According to him, the delay was due to funding challenges, noting that transmission projects are capital intensive.
He explained that the Ede project has gone so far so good as he said the contractor has almost concluded key sections of the substations.
The TCN boss said the last hurdle to cross is the processing of the variation request by the contractor, assuring that due process is ongoing on the variation request.
“The contractor has assured us that once the variation is approved, the commissioning of the project by the end of this year is a strong possibility.
“Once the commissioning is accomplished by the end of this year, power supply to Ede will improve. Supply to the Iwo area will also change for the better. Mr Governor, we shared your vision and we are committed to early completion of the project”, the TCN Chief noted.
Governor Adeleke was accompanied to the TCN headquarters by the State Commissioner for Federal Affairs, Mrs Adenike Adeleke.
