Nigerian president 'pledges to install electricity grid'
11 August 2010
Power infrastructure in Nigeria may get a boost, after president Goodluck Jonathan promised to install an electricity grid costing $3.5 billion (£2.23 billion) in the African country.
In a statement his office said: "President Jonathan directed that it should be funded as a federal asset with additional financing from private investors and international finance and development agencies."
Nigeria's power problems are relatively well known and a new minister was recently appointed to deal with the issue.
Professor Barth Nnaji was named special adviser on power by president Jonathan, it emerged in June.
The latest statement claimed the new grid will lead to a large reduction in "the huge amount of power currently lost in transmission".
It will take four years for the infrastructure - providing 700 kilovolts - to be developed and installed in the country, it added.
The newly appointed adviser on power will play a role in plans for developing a steady supply of electricity throughout Nigeria.
Category: Energy