The Borno State government yesterday signed a N39 million contract for the upgrade and connection of 12 towns and villages in the southern part of the state to the national power grid.
The contract involved the rehabilitation of the old 33KVA line from Hema village in Biu local government up to Shani town in the present Shani local government area.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Housing and Rural Electrification, Engineer Hamza Hammawa, noted that when the project was completed, other sub towns and villages along the project line would also benefit from the project.
He said though the project was initially designed to be executed through direct labour, the ministry had to contract it out to one of its reputable electrification-contracting firm, Alheri Nigeria Limited, which had handled effectively a similar project in some parts of the state recently.
According to the Permanent Secretary who stood in for the ministry’s Commissioner, Alhaji Sugu Mai Mele, said “the contractor had willingly agreed to accept the contract the direct labour rate of N39.3 million as against N43 million contract rate base on the fact that the project affects his immediate community.”
He revealed that when completed the electrification project would impart on villages like Hema, Marama, Bura-Kidang, Azare, Bulatawiwi, Busi, Peta and Shani among others.
The managing Director of the Contracting firm, Alhaji Haruna Yerima said his firm would execute the awarded project with more commitment and ensure that it is completed in three weeks. This, he said will be a sacrifice he has to make in appreciating the gesture of the state governor, Kashim Shettima, for taking the project to his own community.
?