Electric power supply can be said to be closest to the heart of most Nigerians. It is also unarguably the engine that powers the growth and development of any society. Incidentally, Nigerians have over the years been unfortunate to be deviled with leaders that have been unable to meet this yearning need of the populace.
It is not surprising that during every political campaign, politicians in a bid to win the heart and votes of the electorate include the provision of uninterrupted power supply as one of the agenda when they come into office. However, after they are voted in, and at assumption of office, it is that particular promise they first jettison and the populace continue to wallow in darkness. Their business also continue to suffer stunted growth due to epileptic power supply.
The case is however different for the Cross Riverians . During the last governorship campaign, the serving action governor of the state Prof. Ben Ayade, promised to ensure that the years of perennial power outage would be over in the state. True to his promise, shortly after assumption of office, the governor has not left any stone unturned to ensure that he fulfils the promise of making sure that Cross river state becomes one of the states that can beat its chest that the citizens enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
Using his expertise and bringing experts in the power sector from all over the world the governor has continued to court partnerships to ensure that his promise is fulfilled and on record time. In fact, in the words of the commissioner for power in the state, Thomas Udam 'As a matter of fact, the governor has recorded immense success in this direction. Governor Ayade has secured 30 million dollars Indian loan for 26 megawatts power plant to ensure 24 hour power supply in Calabar. He also ensured the installation of four megawatt power turbines in Obudu local government, provisions of street lighting for Obudu metropolis and commencement of construction of Hydro power plant in Ikom."[ads-post]
"The Governor also took up the provisions of power turbines for Tinapa Business Resort, 132 transmission line from Calabar to Obudu and the distribution of transformers of various capacities to boost power supply in Calabar, among other ongoing projects." he added
The government of Cross River State has embarked on Partnering investors to provide 8 million dollars 20 Mega Watt Embedded Power Supply in Calabar.
In his effort to ensure 24 hours electricity supply for its capital city, Calabar, the Cross River State Government entered into a partnership with an investor, Jampor, which is to provide 20 megawatts of power in the state, on embedded supply system. One unique feature of this partnership is that the supply of electricity to Calabar and its environs would not depend on the National Grid.
The governor who has been busy working his talk, during an inspection on one of the sites for the project in Calabar , said the idea is to generate and provide 24 hours electricity for the city of Calabar without depending on the National Grid, “So we are producing embedded power supply system to support the entire Calabar city. We are having an approximately 20 megawatts of power on embedded supply system in Calabar,” he said.
The Governor who further shed light on the importance of the partnership between the state and Jampor on this project, affirmed that “the investment attracts no cost, the investment template on the part of the Cross River State Government is that all we need to do is to provide guarantee that in events that power generated per month and their collection is less than what they generate, Cross River State Government will pay for the shortfall. And therefore, with an aggressive tariff collection system, working in partnership with the distribution companies, we believe that it will also be an issue where the state will have very little to contribute”.
Ayade who could not hide his elation at the development assured the investors of high returns on their investment in the state, stressing, “I am sure the records of PHEDC shows that Cross River State has the highest voluntary tariff payment system in the entire country. It is only in Calabar that people walk to the bank to pay their electricity bills without being compelled to do so or a policeman be on their neck.
“It is only in Calabar that people don’t temper with their electricity meters and just wait for the meters, take the reading and go and pay. Therefore with a record of 80% voluntary payment, it becomes an attraction and most attractive for them to invest. The investment outlet as at today, with all the goods that have arrived the port they have been cleared, they are on their way coming here already. We have an investment of over 8 million dollars’ worth of Rustin turbine engines that are arriving Calabar”.
The Governor further stated, “So by Tuesday or Wednesday when we will be coming back here and you will see containers with loads of power plants.
The governor dispelled the doubts of detractors faulting his many travels and signing of MOUs all over the world. According to him, “for those who don’t know why the governor was travelling round the world signing MOUs, this is one product of an MOU that was signed somewhere in Brazil, that MOU today has become a reality”.
The governor who expressed satisfaction with the developments also assured that as the days unfolded more fruits of the various travels would continue to materialize for the people of Cross River State to enjoy.
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