Federal projects ongoing despite Insurgency – Power Minister

Despite the insurgency in the North East, major Federal Government projects in Borno and Yobe States are progressing according to implementation schedule, the Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, has disclosed.
Wakil disclosed this at the site of a 33kva transmission substation located along Damboa Road in Borno State.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Olawale Rasheed, Wakil spoke while inspecting a major substation project along Damboa-Biu Road, which had recently witnessed a spate of Boko Haram attempted attacks.
The minister explained that the briefing by project managers showed that the substation is about 80 per cent completed, with work ongoing to ensure completion at the earliest possible time.
According to Wakil ,the sub station is designed to strengthen power supply to Borno State, which he said currently has very low level of power supply.
He said: “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.”
Wakil said the progress of work on the substation and other federal projects showed that the security situation in the state is not as bad as been painted, commending the Presidency, the security agencies, the civilian JTF and the Borno State Government for joining hands to restore security to Borno State.
Wakil, who also inspected the perimeter fencing and rural electrification projects ongoing in the area, expressed happiness that the sites are well secured by both the civilian and military JTF, appealing further to security agencies to beef up security around projects site in the state to avoid surprise attacks by insurgents.
He said: “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.”
Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, briefed the minister about the progress of work, explaining that the project is about 80 per cent completed.
According to Atiku: “The implementation is progressing on schedule.
“The team working on the project is in high spirit despite the security challenges.
“On completion, the substation will ensure improvement in the power situation in Borno State.”