By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria has awarded a $328.8 million contract to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to enhance power supply nationwide.
The contract, jointly signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and CMEC officials, Wednesday, April 9, is part of the Phase 1 of the engineering, procurement, construction, and financing of transmission lines of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
During the ceremony, Adelabu stated that the contract signifies a strong commitment from the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to provide stable and reliable electricity for all Nigerians.
He expressed the government’s determination to overcome previous barriers and modernize the power sector for the future.
Adelabu commended the teams at the federal government power company and CMEC for their efforts in finalizing the agreement, urging them to maintain their momentum for successful project execution.
He reassured citizens that their ongoing power supply challenges are being addressed, emphasizing that this contract is a step toward tangible improvements.
The project will involve the rehabilitation and construction of 330kV and 132kV transmission lines, including 7 brownfield and 10 greenfield lines, totaling 544 kilometers and supporting a load capacity of 7,140 megawatts.
These critical infrastructure developments are to facilitate the efficient delivery of power generated through mid-stream transmission, currently being rehabilitated by Siemens, directly to homes, businesses, and industries.
Siemens will contribute advanced technology for generation and transmission, while CMEC will provide expertise in the construction and rehabilitation of distribution lines.
This collaboration is expected to enhance Nigeria’s power infrastructure and drive economic growth.