…charges residents to utilize power by setting up industries
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, said he chose to personally commissioned the 7.5MVA power Injection substation in Doma, because the project was started by former governor of the state, the late Aliyu Akwe Doma.
Engineer Sule made this known while commissioning the power substation in Doma on Wednesday.
According to the Governor, though the project may have been completed and put to use without any fanfare, he felt the need to commission the power substation because it was a dream by the late Aliyu Akwe Doma for his people.
He said that on coming into power in 2019, his administration undertook to complete all the projects started by his predecessors, even those under the military regime, because those leaders had dreams that would benefit the people.
Engineer Sule added that it is now his responsibility to complete these projects because they are no longer in power.
“This is the kind of project that ordinarily we would just complete without commissioning. But why I insist that I want to be the one to commission this project, is because these are the kinds of projects that in reality I want to commission because it’s a dream of another person.
“The late Aliyu Akwe Doma had the dream of having this particular project for Doma. And since he awarded the contract at the time at about N220m, he paid over N111m. And for whatever reason, because he left the office, that was the end of the project. And it was under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.
“When we came in, we looked at the projects, not necessarily the ones started by our father, the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, but by all the former governors of the state. In fact, even if they were military. The reason is that it is a dream they had that would benefit the people. And since they are no longer here, I believe it’s my responsibility to fulfill that dream,” he stated.
The Governor explained that though the project was estimated to cost N220m ten years ago, when the contract was originally awarded in 2010, his administration executed the project at the cost of N337, 575, 533. 50. 00, mostly as a result of inflation and other economic factors.
He pointed out, his administration has previously executed several other projects like that of Doma, including the electrification of Loko.
“We have similar projects like this that I commissioned. We have the one that is even smaller than this. That is the one in Loko. And the people of Loko have complained over and over that they have no power. And I felt that if I could make any promise to the people of Loko, because theirs was more difficult. You have to transmit the power all the way from Mararaba Udege all the way to Loko. I thank God that about 4 months ago, I commissioned the project, and Loko has power today. And we have so many of them all over the state,” he added.
He noted that, with the completion of the 7.5MVA power Injection substation, Doma now has other options of power supply, especially with one line from the 330KVA substation in Akurba dedicated to Doma.
The Governor however charged residents of Doma and the surrounding areas, to take the opportunity of the stable power supply by setting up small industries.
“In Doma, you have excess of 3000MVA that people can use. If there is no light in Doma for any reason, it’s not that you don’t have sufficient power. Today, you can have so many small factories around this area, so that they can use that excess power.
“And if you can remember, when we were fighting to ensure that the 330KVA substation in Akurba to be completed was because one of the lines was dedicated to Doma. Doma would now have several options. These are the good things that are happening for us. And this is what this administration wants to be known for,” he said.
He used the opportunity to appreciate his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, for ensuring that the Doma project sees the light of day.
In his remarks, General Manager of the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAEPA), Engineer Yakubu Suleiman Umar, gave an overview of the project titled “Improvement of electricity from the National grid to Doma town.”
Engr Umar disclosed that the contract for the project was initially awarded on November 25th, 2010 by the then administration of the late Aliyu Akwe Doma.
He explained that ten years after, Engineer Sule saw the need to complete the project following which he gave approval for the continuation and completion of the project in March 2021.
The NAEPA general manager equally appreciated the state Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, for making sure that the project became a reality.
“The capacity of this transformer is 7500KVA which will supply all the distribution transformers within and outside Doma. The nearby Iwashi village is still getting power from this same transformer. And the total load capacity as required now by Doma is 4, 900KVA. His Excellency, the Governor has actualized even beyond the requirements,” he stated.
In a welcome address, Chairman, Doma Local Government Area, Hon. Arc Sarki Ahmad, appreciated Engineer Sule for keeping to his campaign promises to the people of Doma.
In a goodwill message, regional manager of the Abuja Electricty Distribution Company, (AEDC) Mr. Baro Ahmad, appreciated the Nasarawa State Governor for his tremendous support and for ensuring he delivers stable power supply to the people.
“This is not the first time he is doing it. He did it during his first term and on his return, he is still going it. Thanked the people of Doma who now enjoy stable power supply. 2.5KVA is inadequate,” the AEDC regional manager said.
In a vote of thanks, the Andoma of Doma, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, conferred the title of Dallatun Doma on Engineer Sule as a mark of appreciation.