Yahaya Idris, Lafia.
To ensure proper participation, imlementation and security of the Akurba 330/132kv substation, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has made case for indigenous engineers and technicians, to be employed to man the substation, now at 98 percent completion.
Engineer Sule stated his case while inspecting ongoing work at the power substation, in Akurba, outskirts of Lafia, the state capital, on Monday.
The Governor who expressed satisfaction with the level of completion of the project, in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19, said he would love to see engineers and technicians from the state employed to operate the power station.
“From what you can see, all the technical work has already been completed. The panels have been energized and tested. It’s just for them to connect the lines-in, lines-out, for distribution to the various places,” the Governor stated.
According to Engineer Sule, the only thing left, which he took up with the contractor, is recruiting those who will operate the substation, adding that it’s important technicians and engineers are employed, who will be responsible for operating the station after the completion by the contractor.
“I will love to see that the indigenes of Nasarawa State are also giving the opportunity to be part of the operators,” he stated.
The Governor while making his resolve to pursue for the employment of indigenes of the state at the appropriate authority, stressed that there is no better time to employ them than now, so they can be trained while the contract is ongoing.
Engineer Sule then commended the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), for expediating action on the award of the line-in, line-out contract, which will ensure completion of the project.
Also speaking, representative of AK-AY Elektrik, the contractor handling the project, Engineer Samson Johnson confirmed that the Akurba power substation is at 98 percent completion.
“Technically we are done except for the problem of the turn-in, turn-out, which the Governor went all the way to Abuja to address.
“We have not shut down, even with the threat of COVID-19. We have been working to give Nasarawa people what they deserve,” he stated.
