Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri
The federal government projects in troubled Borno and Yobe states will be completed on schedule despite security challenges, the minister of state for Power, Mohammed Wakil, has said.
Wakil gave this assurance at the weekend in Maiduguri during a visit to the site of a 33 KVA transmission substation located along Damboa/Biu road in Borno state.
The minister said according to the briefing by the project managers, the substation has almost attained 80 per cent completion, stressing that the progress of work on the substation and other federal projects showed that the security situation in the state is not as bad as is being painted.
“I am glad to announce that despite the insurgency, power projects and other federal projects are ongoing. Our people are undaunted in their determination to benefit from the transformation agenda of Mr President. I commend the project team for not bowing to terror. This is a demonstration of commitment that I cannot describe”, he said.
Wakil said on completion, the sub station would strengthen power supply to Borno state which currently has very low level of distribution, adding that the Jonathan administration remains committed to making the people of the two states happy despite the spate of Boko Haram attacks.
He also commended the security agencies, the civilian JTF, and the state government for joining hands to restore security to Borno state.
The minister who also inspected the perimeter fencing and rural electrification projects ongoing in the area, expressed happiness that the sites were well secure by both civilian and military JTF, while appealing further to security agencies to beef up security around project sites in the state to avoid been taken by surprise by insurgents.
“Aside the transmission substation, a major transformer to boost power supply in the state will arrive latest by June or thereabout. All arrangements have been completed for immediate installations. Rural electrification projects of the Federal Government are also ongoing,” the minister promised.