Ogoja Development Initiative writes minister of power, Decries Epileptic power supply in the Region

 A civil Society organisation in Ogoja has written a letter to the Minister of power, works and housing about the epileptic level of power supply in the region, theregion which comprises of about five local government areas have been in perpetual darkness for quite a period of time.

 READ FULL LETTER BELOW

OGOJA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
FEDERAL HOUSING ESTATE,
NDOK JUNCTION,
OGOJA,
CROSS RIVER STATE.
7th MARCH, 2019.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing,
Mabushi,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,

*AN APPEAL FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT URGENT INTERVENTION ON THE POOR STATE OF ELECTRICITY IN OGOJA, BEKWARRA AND YALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, CROSS RIVER STATE.*

We write to thank you for the untiring effort you have been putting
to ensure that power supply in the entire country is tremendously improved. We are equally excited about your avowed determination to ensure that power generated is properly distributed to the consumers.

However, the impact of all you have done this past three and half years in not felt in Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala Local Government Areas, and indeed the entire Northern part of Cross River State.

The Federal Government of Nigeria in 1977 decided to extend electricity from Enugu the capital of South Eastern State to Abakaliki and Ogoja of which the contractor finally finished the Ogoja project in 1978.

           Babatunde Fashola, min of power, works and housing 

The strength and power of the infrastructure was designed to light up Yahe, Bansara and Ogoja towns. In 1979 and 1980, Ikom and Obudu were connected to the same 33kv feeder.

Forty years(40) down the line and with over 56 communities being lighted up, and Ogoja, Obudu and Ikom expanding due to human population increase and the resultant heavy demand of electricity, the 32kv power line which radiates from Abakaliki 132/33kv transmission station in Ebonyi state is overloaded and as such cannot function optimally.

The standard Engineering design of a 33kv feeder stipulates that the length of the 33KV feeder should not exceed 70km. the feeder route length presently stands at over 700km. With less than a total number of 20 distribution transformers as at the time of commissioning in 1979, the total number of distribution transformers have risen to over 500, yet, we are still served electricity with this same old lines.

At the moment, Ogoja, Bekwarra and Yala LGAs are witnessing electricity blackout as a result of the overload of the power line that is made to function far and above it designed capacity. The situation is likening to a man giving his wife the same amount of money for food now that he has a family of 7 exactly the same he gave
her when they were just married 40 years ago.

To solve this problem, the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded a contract to connect Ikom, Obudu and Ogoja to the national grid with 132kv line at Abakaliki with Ogoja being the last point in the power line.

As at today, the 132kv sub station in Ogoja is 98% ready and waiting for activation, and only 2% of work is needed to complete the work. The transmission sub station in
Ikom is far from completion. The transmission sub station in Obudu is barely above 10% of work. At some point, fire gutted the Obudu transmission sub station material yard.

The 98% completed power sub station at Ogoja cannot be energized when electricity at Abakaliki have not been evacuated to Ikom, then to Obudu before getting to Ogoja. Our research revealed that the Federal Government awarded the contract for the construction of the 132kv power line running from Abakaliki to Ikom, to Obudu and then to Ogoja with Ikom, Obudu and Ogoja having functional power sub stations respectively.

It is estimated that it will take 5 years for the power lines from Abakaliki to reach Ogoja through Ikom, and Obudu. The implication of this to all residence of Ogoja and it environ is that we should brace up for darkness for the next five years.

To this effect, we have met as a people and do hereby make the following demands:

1.That the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency, award the contract for the construction of 132kv power line from Abakaliki to Ogoja to activate the already constructed 132kv  transmission sub station situated at Garki, Okuku road, Igoli - Ogoja, Cross River State.

2.That the Transmission Company of Nigeria be mandated to come and appraise the state of electricity infrastructure between Abakaliki and Ogojathrough Ikom and Obudu.

We are confident that you will look into our plight and use your good office to bring Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala and other parts of Northern Cross River State out of darkness. We are tired of paying bills for darkness.

Thank you.

Mike Udam
Eric Kanjal
Tom Alims
Benedict Wonah
Ibu Monkom
Ushonye Ayim
James Udam
Emeka Okenwa
Mohammed Sani
Simon Akoli
Festus Okwo
Bashiru isa.

 The group is hoping that the minister and his team will swing into action as fast as possible to alleviate the sufferings of the people.