The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese Xian Electric Engineering Company XD, in order to improve the nation’s transmission capacity under the supervision of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Nebo, who put pen to paper with the Chinese firm’s General Manager, Ji Junhua, said that the money, sourced from the Chinese EXIM Bank, is good as it has low interest and other favourable characteristics.
He said the money will be used to strengthen and expand the nation’s transmission system.
The duration of the MOU is two years.
Nebo assured Nigerians that Manitoba Hydro International will be expected to ensure appropriate design and delineation of the projects from start to end.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of State (Power), Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, expressed the hope that the company would provide the needed services that would guarantee improvement in transmission, as this component is key to the Power Sector Reform.
Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali, urged the Chinese to put their expertise in the project, so that Nigeria can overcome present power supply challenges.
It would be recalled that in July, President Goodluck Jonathan led a high-powered delegation to China, primarily to woo Chinese investors desirous of investing in the nations’ critical sectors, which included power.
The MOU with the Chinese firm is one of the outcomes of that visit.
Junhua said the Chinese company will bring to bear its expertise in the execution of the transmission upgrading project within record time.
