Transmission Company Appeals to Government for Assistance with 624MW Abuja Project

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has made a formal request to the federal government for assistance with the ongoing delays affecting the completion of the 624MW Abuja Feeding Scheme Project.

During a recent inspection of the project, TCN officials revealed that the completion timeline has been adversely impacted by Right of Way issues caused by influential individuals opposing the placement of transmission lines on their properties.

According to Daily Trust, the project is financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) and involves the construction of five substations along with 143 kilometers of 330kV transmission lines from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Abuja, complemented by an additional 81 kilometers of 132kV lines within the city.

Initiated in April 2019, the project is intended to become operational by December 2022.

Engr. Olugbenga Ajiboye, TCN's Executive Director of Transmission System Provider, stated that the project is currently at 91 percent completion but is being hampered by Right of Way obstacles. He lamented the unfortunate scenario where some Nigerians fail to recognize the project’s utility for the community.

"There are certain powerful individuals who are obstructing the paths where the lines should be routed. We seek the support of government officials to help us appeal to these individuals so we can access the necessary routes to energize the transmission stations. This Right-of-Way issue is a significant challenge," he expressed.

He assured that, despite the current difficulties, TCN is striving diligently to finish the project, which aims to provide electricity to Abuja residents.

"Of the five stations, two are ready for energization. However, we cannot supply power to the Apo-Wumba station until we resolve the delays at Wumba. The same applies to the Kuje station, which will receive its supply once we have addressed the issues at Wumba," he added.

In related developments, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has hailed the ongoing 350MW NNPC Abuja Independent Power Project as essential for achieving the national goal of a grid generation capacity of 8,500MW by the end of 2026.

Engr. Abdul Mohammed Bello, NISO’s Managing Director/CEO, commended the initiative during a visit to the project site, highlighting that the NNPC Abuja IPP is expected to significantly enhance power supply to the Federal Capital Territory and nearby areas, thereby aiding in diversifying the power grid and reducing dependence on far-flung generation sources.

He reaffirmed NISO’s commitment to collaborating closely with project stakeholders, including NNPC and key transmission and distribution organizations, to guarantee timely completion of both projects and maximize their benefits for Nigeria's electricity sector.