From Mashi to Kankia and Katsina metropolis, the Federal Government is pushing ahead with three electricity transmission projects aimed at strengthening the state’s power infrastructure, with the new Mashi substation scheduled for completion in March 2027.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, announced the deadline on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the 132/33kV transmission substation at Garo in Mashi Local Government Area.
The projects involve the construction of a new substation in Mashi, the unveiling of two power transformers in Kankia and the development of a major gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) transmission substation in Katsina metropolis.
The interventions are expected to reinforce electricity transmission capacity in the state, with potential benefits for businesses, households and other economic activities.
Speaking at the Mashi ceremony, Tegbe said the project was being executed through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and would feature two 60MVA transformers with a combined capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to 96 megawatts.
He explained that the facility would strengthen the network’s ability to transmit available electricity to Mashi and surrounding communities once completed.
The minister also disclosed that compensation had been fully paid to owners of properties affected by the project before construction began.
He urged TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to meet the March 2027 deadline, warning against any compromise in workmanship, safety or technical standards.
According to him, every stage of the project, from equipment manufacturing and civil works to installation and testing, must comply with established specifications to guarantee the substation’s reliability.
Kankia, Katsina Also Get Attention
Beyond the Mashi project, the Federal Government is pursuing two other major interventions to strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure in Katsina State.
In Kankia Local Government Area, Tegbe unveiled two 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers as part of efforts to reinforce the electricity network serving the area.
In Katsina metropolis, the minister inspected the ongoing 2x100MVA, 132/33kV GIS transmission substation project at the Katsina 330/132/33kV substation.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and other senior federal and state government officials accompanied him during the inspection.
The three locations represent separate components of the Federal Government’s investment in Katsina’s transmission infrastructure, although the report did not specify completion dates for the Kankia and Katsina metropolis projects.
The projects are expected to improve the network’s capacity to handle and transmit electricity. However, the extent to which residents experience better power supply will also depend on electricity generation, transmission performance and the capacity of distribution companies to deliver power to consumers.
Tinubu’s Investment in Power Sector Praised
Tegbe described the projects as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to developing critical infrastructure that can support businesses, generate employment and improve living conditions.
He commended the president for supporting investments in the power sector, stressing that dependable infrastructure was essential to Nigeria’s economic development.
The minister also urged residents of Mashi to cooperate with the construction team, protect the project site and report suspicious activities that could threaten the facility or delay its completion.
He called on the agencies and contractors involved to ensure that the groundbreaking ceremony resulted in tangible progress, with the host community kept informed throughout construction and commissioning.
Governor Radda, in his remarks, commended Tinubu for approving the three transmission infrastructure projects for Katsina State.
The governor described the investments as significant to the state’s development, particularly as population growth continues to increase demand for electricity.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for extending critical infrastructure to Katsina, noting that stronger electricity networks could help create a more favourable environment for businesses and productive activities.
With the March 2027 deadline approaching, attention will now turn to the pace of construction in Mashi and the progress of the complementary projects in Kankia and Katsina metropolis.
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