By Oke Peter
The Federal Government has inaugurated a $500m Japanese International Cooperation Agency intervention project to strengthen power transmission infrastructure along the Lagos-Ogun industrial corridor.
The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations to Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
The Lagos-Ogun industrial corridor is a key industrial hub in southwestern Nigeria, featuring a high concentration of manufacturing industries and economic activities, but facing challenges such as inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure, which the $500m JICA project aims to address.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced while playing host to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in Abuja.
The JICA project aims to boost power transmission infrastructure within and outside the Ogun industrial corridors, covering Agbara, Mowe, and Shagamu industrial clusters.
“This will involve building additional power transmission substations and upgrading existing ones, as well as reconductoring existing weak high voltage power lines and new extensions for capacity strengthening and expansion,” Adelabu said.
He added, “We also have the Presidential Power Initiative projects, the highlights of which include boosting power transmission infrastructure within and outside the Ogun industrial corridors. Some Transmission Company of Nigeria’s projects to enhance power supply to Ogun State are also ongoing.”
Adelabu appealed to the governor to collaborate with the power ministry to impress on gas pipeline operators to improve the pipeline infrastructures passing through the state to boost the pressure quality and quantity of gas supplies to power plants and industries.
The governor commended the minister for the improvements in power supply and urged him to sustain the momentum.
“As part of my visit, I want to make a special appeal to you for special attention to further enhance power infrastructures and supply to Ogun State, which is a key industrial hub in the country.
“I am aware that since you assumed duty, you have visited some major industries and power plants in the state like Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company, Coleman Wires and Cables and Splendor Electric, producer of Porcelin high voltage electric insulators as well as the Olorunsogo NDPHC NIPP power plant in Papa Lanto. However, we have a lot more to show you,” Abiodun stated.
