According to Jonathan, his government has delivered the dividends of democracy in various sectors of the economy, particularly in the power sector as he claimed that the sector presently generates 6, 000 megawatts of electricity.
Jonathan lost to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, in the March 28, 2015 presidential election and he is expected to hand over on the 29th of this month to a new government.
The President spoke through his deputy, Namadi Sambo, during the official inauguration of Niger Delta Power Holding Company/National Integrated Power Plant Gwagwalada 330/132/33KV Transmission Substation in Abuja.
Jonathan said, “Let me reiterate our firm belief and respect for democracy and its norms and values and our continued commitment to the progress and prosperity of our dear nation.“To this regard, we shall continue to make our contributions to the development of our dear country as patriotic citizens. We are confident that posterity shall place us on the right side of history.
“I will take this opportunity to also assure all Nigerians that all the decisions and project implementation of both NDPHC and the National Council on Privatisation, all decisions are taken on the basis of sound professional advice and sound decision to ensure that we succeed in Nigeria in providing power successfully for the benefit of the country and our economic development.”
He said the country currently has a power generation level of 6,000 megawatts.
This claim is, however, in contrast of the 3,413.1MW recorded as peak power generation as of May 11, 2015 which was contained on the website of the Federal Ministry of Power on Monday.
Jonathan said, “At present, the nation’s power generation level as confirmed by the minister of power is about 6,000MW and we can wheel up to 5,500MW.”
The President explained that prior to the advent of the Gwagwalada substation, Abuja and all of FCT and Nasarawa State were supplied by a 330kV double circuit line and a 132kV double circuit line from Shiroro Hydro power station terminating at Katampe 330/132/33kV substation and Apo 132/33kV Substation respectively.
He said other locations within the FCT and Nasarawa State were supplied via various 132kV lines from Katampe and Apo.
Jonathan said, “Gwagwalada 330/132/33kV substation was conceived as a location and sited in Gwagwalada in the outskirts of Abuja metropolis as one of the nodes in a 330kV transmission ring that will provide secured supply to the Federal Capital Territory and Abuja in particular.
“Connection to Gwagwalada was, therefore, engineered as an evacuation substation facility for Geregu NIPP power plant to the FCT 330kV ring via an initial 222.6kms 330kV double circuit line from Geregu (Ajaokuta) to Gwagwalada 330/132/33kV substation with a final 30kms 330kV double circuit construction. This tees into one of the original Shiroro-Abuja (Katampe) 330kV DC lines thus achieving a 330kV alternative (thermal) power source to Abuja.”
- Source: Punch
