Sambo: Jonathan has transformed power sector

Vice President Namadi Sambo is of the opinion that President Goodluck Jonathan has “transformed the power sector” and is doing even more to improve it.

Speaking in Ilorin, capital of kwara state, at the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sambo identified inadequate power supply as one of the impediments to the country’s economic growth.

“Mr. President has transformed the power sector,” Sambo said.

“When we came in, power generation in Nigeria was about 2,000 megawatts. But today, I am happy to inform you that we now generate more than 4500 megawatts.”

He recalled that in 2011, he stood on the same podium to invite the people to make the wise choice of electing Jonathan as president of the country and the people graciously gave their votes.

“During that time, I told you that Mr. President was a teacher, he was a lecturer, he was a deputy governor, he was a doctor, he is a Ph. D. holder. He became the vice president and then president, and there is no one Nigerian that has his experience to rule our country. I want to thank Mr. President that you have not failed the good people of Kwara state, you have transformed Kwara state, you have transformed Nigeria,” Sambo said.

“One of the major areas is the issue of lack of adequate power supply. When we came in the power generation in Nigeria, was about 2,000 Mega watts (MW), today I’m happy to inform you that we are generating over 4,500 MW in this country, and we are moving forward.

“Mr. President has transformed the power sector. We have privatised the generation and distribution of power in Nigeria successfully, one of the best privatisations that can be carried out all over the world. Mr. President has successfully, as I speak, constructed 10 new thermal plants, that would add 4,500 MW. In Nigeria, many parts of this country are experiencing between 18 to 20 hours of power supply. We thank you, Mr. President.”

He revealed that the federal government even has the plan to expand power generation.

“As I speak, the construction of the Zungeru hydropower is in progress. That would add 700MW to our system. Also, the contract for the Mabila hydropower plant has been awarded and this plant, on completion, would be the single biggest hydropower plant in the West African region; it would produce 3050MW.

“The other area in improving our economy is the transport sector. When we came in, there was only about 6,000km of well-tarred roads in Nigeria. But as I speak to you now, Mr. President has added 20,000km of tarred road to this country, and we have plans for additional 20,000 in the next four years.

“Another area is the rail road transportation. As I speak to you, we have rail tracks over 3000 kilometers of rail lines that is functioning and working in Nigeria; and as you all know, people in Kwara today are using the rail line to go to Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna and Kano. Just last week, Mr. President directed me to commission the trail service on the eastern wing that would travel from Port Harcourt to Enugu to Markurdi, to Jos, to Bauchi.

“I am also pleased to inform you that the dredging of the River Niger has been completed. Only about two weeks ago, Mr. President visited the completed Onitsha river port. The river port in Lokoja is almost completed, just like the one in Niger state.

“Contract for the dredging of River Benue has been awarded and the construction of Benue port is in progress. We are constructing three new ports at Lekki in Lagos and Badagry and in Akwa Ibom state. We are addressing and improving the port service.

“On Education, Mr. President has developed 12 new universities in this country. This is the only government that, within this short period, was able to produce 12 new universities within a period of four years, and all these universities are functional. I can go on and on and on.”