Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the construction of three 132/33kV transmission substations in Mashi Kankia and Katsina Local Government Areas of the state.
Radda commended the project during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mashi substation describing it as a major investment expected to improve electricity supply and boost economic activity in Katsina and neighbouring communities.
‘On behalf of the government and people of Katsina State I sincerely appreciate Mr President for bringing these important projects to our state’ he said.
The governor also commended the Minister of Power for his support and highlighted the collaboration between the Federal and Katsina State Governments on a proposed 10-megawatt hybrid renewable energy project.
He said solar panels and other components for the renewable energy project had arrived in Nigeria and he expressed optimism that the Mashi substation would be completed by March 2027 as scheduled.
Earlier the Minister of Power Mr Joseph Tegbe said the Mashi substation would strengthen electricity infrastructure and improve livelihoods in the area.
‘Today we break ground in Mashi to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater opportunities to grow’ he said.
Tegbe said the project being executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would provide a combined capacity of 120MVA equivalent to about 96MW to improve bulk electricity supply to Mashi and its environs.
He disclosed that issues relating to wayleaves and compensation had been resolved adding that the project was scheduled for completion on March 31 2027.
The minister charged TCN the contractor and the supervising engineers with ensuring quality delivery and urged residents to protect the facility against vandalism.
Also speaking TCN Managing Director Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz said the substation would address persistent poor electricity supply and low voltage that had affected households businesses and farming activities in Mashi.
He said the project involved constructing substations installing protection and control panels and providing civil infrastructure to improve bulk power delivery through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company.