The Anambra State Government has contributed $60 million (about N9.5 billion) to various projects designed to dramatically improve power supply in the state. The State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, disclosed this yesterday while commissioning the multi-billion naira Agu-Awka Power Sub-station.

He said his administration decided to invest heavily in the sector because regular power supply is critical to Anambra due to the high level of entrepreneurial and industrial ventures in the state geared towards turning around the economy.

The governor thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to transforming the power sector which, he noted, has encouraged states and local government councils to participate and invest in the sector.

In his speech, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Mr. James Olotu, has attributed the improved power supply in Awka to efforts by the federal government and the contributions of the Peter Obi administration financially, morally and otherwise.

Mr. Olotu said that presently ten power plants are being executed across the state with a capacity of 4774 mega watts, in addition to many transmission projects and 291 distribution projects.

He explained that the projects are geared towards achieving regular power supply and assured that the sub-station has been tested and confirmed to be a project operating facility. He commended Governor Obi for the significant investment by state in realising the project.

News Express reports that the Agu-Awka Power sub-station comprising 2 by 7.5 MVA and 33 KV Power Transformers was executed under National Integrated Power Project jointly financed by the federal, states and local government councils. The sub-station has reduced the burden on the Nibo sub-station and has boosted power supply in most parts of Awka, among them Agu-Awka, UNZIK Academic Community, Amaenyi and Ifite Awka.

•Photo shows Governor Peter Obi cutting the tape to commission the Agu-Awka Power Sub-station . . . yesterday in Awka.