TheCable

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says the federal government is set to establish a new 330 kilovolts (KV) power substation in Ibadan.

Adelabu made this known during his tour of the power facilities in Oyo on Monday.

The minister also said the federal government has the intention to upgrade and modernise the 46-year-old Ayede power substation in Ibadan, for improved performance.

“The establishment of the new 330KV power substation will help to ease the burden on the Ayede power station which has wide coverage and expansion of consumers,” Adelabu said. 

“The power substation, being 46 years old, is currently faced with the challenges of old and weak power equipment that must be upgraded with modern appliances.”

He further said improving the power sector was very crucial, adding that the successes of other sectors were anchored on the success of the power sector in Nigeria.

Adelabu said in the last few months, the ministry had embarked on complete and comprehensive diagnosis of the power sector in Nigeria with necessary consultations.

“We are now in a new phase, a stage of going round to see the state of power facilities, listening to consumers, staffs and other stakeholders,” he said. 

“Nigerians expect so much from us, we must work together as stakeholders so that Nigerians will see gradual improved accelerated and sustainable power supply.”

Speaking on infrastructural security, Adelabu said the government had through the office of the national security adviser, improved on the protection of power facilities all over the country.

He said the government would not fold its arms and allow saboteurs to continue to destroy power equipment and installations.

The minister also pledged to prioritise the welfare of staff in the sector to motivate them as well as ensure hard work was adequately rewarded.

On his part, Taiwo Ojo, principal manager, system operations, Ayede power substation, said the expansion of the transmission with an additional 330KV was long overdue — as other states like Lagos now had six power substations.

Ojo urged the ministry to expedite work on the Ayede-Sagamu transmission line, to harness investment opportunities in the axis.