Jigawa signs N30bn pact for 50mw solar power

By Muhammad  Aliyu

Jigawa State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NOVA Scotia Power Development Limited for the development of 50 megawatt solar power in the state.
The state government is expected to provide land and other moral support to the company for the successful completion of the project while the power firm will fund the project to the tune of N30 billion. The projected is expected to be completed by the middle of 2015.
A spokesman of the state government, Malam Mati Ali, confirmed that the signing ceremony was performed over the weekend. Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Lawan Abdu signed on behalf of the state government.
He said that the provision of solar power supply in the state was timely, in view of the efforts of the present administration in improving the socioeconomic development of the state.

He described the provision of constant power supply to the society as a basic and critical part of industrial development of any nation, adding that this project will lay the solid foundation development of all categories of industries in the state.
Alhaji Abdu expressed the state government’s appreciation to the company for indicating their interest to invest on the project and urged the NOVA Scotia Power Development Limited to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.

Speaking earlier, the director of the NOVA Scotia Power Development Ltd Mr. Arif Mohiuddin, said the company is a subsidiary of Canadian Infrastructure Consulting Firm which had been operating in Nigeria since the year 2000, focusing on energy supply.
Mr. Mohiuddin said they identify Jigawa state as a potential and blessed with abundant resources, hence the choice of the state for the establishment of the solar power project, and expressed the hope that it will facilitate the tapping and utilization of the available resources at its disposal.