From Isaac Anumihe
The federal government and the FGN Power Company (FGNPC) have signed a contract, valued at US$118,148,469.72, to construct and rehabilitate over 2,670 kilometres of 33kV, 11kV, and 400V distribution lines across the country.
Speaking during the signing on Wednesday, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said that the project is designed to complement ongoing mid-stream transmission projects to secure power delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial clusters across Nigeria.
By upgrading the distribution network, FGNPC aims to significantly increase electricity reliability and accessibility for millions of Nigerians.
The Minister expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying:
“This project marks a significant step towards achieving our goal of reliable and sustainable electricity for all Nigerians. We are committed to working with top-tier partners like Elsewedy and Power China to deliver on this promise.”
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In his remarks, the Managing Director of FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Elsewedy and Power China on this transformative project. Their proven expertise and commitment to excellence make them ideal partners for delivering this critical infrastructure. Siemens, known for its strengths in advanced technology and innovation, does not specialise in distribution lines. Therefore, it was a strategic decision to collaborate with Elsewedy, bearing in mind the successful partnership between both companies in Egypt. This partnership with Elsewedy Electric will ensure the highest quality and efficiency in delivering the necessary infrastructure. Together, we will combine our strengths and deliver comprehensive solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing energy and infrastructure needs.”
Meanwhile, the project will deliver the construction of 687 kilometres of new distribution lines (greenfield) and the rehabilitation of 1,983 kilometres of existing lines (brownfield). FGNPC has worked closely with Enugu and Benin Distribution Companies (DisCos) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to develop a comprehensive project definition aligned with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
In a statement, the Country Manager at Elsewedy, Mr Islam Isharawy, added:
“We are honoured to contribute our expertise to Nigeria’s ambitious energy goals. This project represents a significant opportunity to upgrade Nigeria’s power distribution infrastructure.”
Vice President for Central and West Africa at Power China, Mr Tino Dong, commented:
“Power China believes in the president’s vision for the power sector and is committed to high-quality and reliable power solutions as part of our interventions. We look forward to a successful collaboration with FGNPC and Elsewedy to bring improved power distribution to Nigeria.”
FGN Power Company (FGNPC) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) mandated to implement the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). FGNPC’s mission is to address infrastructural gaps by investing in end-to-end solutions that will deliver reliable, incremental energy to customers in Nigeria.