Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has says the State Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN were in talks on building a 330 Mega Watts transmission station to boost energy supply and stimulate industrialisation.
The Governor who was speaking late Friday, when he led members of the State Executive Council for on-the-spot inspection of progress of work at the Old Abakaliki Water Scheme, as well as the State Pulverisation Plant at Umuoghara, in Ezza North LGA expressed concern over the challenges posed on the State’s industrialisation plan, as a result of poor Power and Energy availability for potential investors.
In his words “We’re embarking on a very big projects. It’s only in Ebonyi State that we don’t have an industry. It’s not because people are not willing to build industries but because we don’t have the energy that can carry the industry, that’s the basic truth. Out of the 36 states, the TCN policy of 1999, 2000, 2001 that every state will have 330 megawatts transmission which we provided land for TCN at Umuoghara, but unfortunately nothing was done. So out of the 36 states, 33 states have 330 KVA line now, and Ebonyi State is part of the three that don’t have. Bayelsa has built their own, now left with Ebonyi and Zamfara States. But, we are already talking with TCN to know the possibility of embarking on the project because it is crucial for development”.
Also, Governor Nwifuru has set a target of the ending of September 2024 for potable water to run in homes in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The Governor, hints that his administration is committed to making governance felt at the grassroots level, noting that in addition to the Oferekpe Water Scheme, the Old Abakaliki Water Scheme is being reactivated to boost water supply to the metropolis and adjourning LGAs.
“It is our target to provide water to every home in the State. Oferekpe Water Scheme will start pumping water from the end of this month and water from the scheme will be reticulated to Izzi, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South. In no distant time , Ukawu Water Scheme will also receive Government attention”.
“Old Abakaliki Water Scheme will come alive again. For instance, at the low lift here we are building a new pump house and the same thing is happening at the High lift at Juju Hill. They are cleaning and replacing obsolete facilities, while the Water Works reservoir has been fully reactivated ” Nwifuru stated
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
