Safety Is A Key Factor for All Workplaces – Aliyu

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu has reiterated that in order to promote the wellness of both employees and contractors in the ministry, safety is a key factor in all construction sites.

The Minister made this assertion at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on Specialized Health and Safety, Training for Engineers/Officers of the Federal Ministry of Works in collaboration with the Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSH Association UK Nigeria – Region with the theme “Safety First in the Construction Site) on Thursday 22nd October 2020 in the Ministry.

Abubakar Aliyu, who was ably represented by the Director Human Recourses Management, Umar Utono stated that the objective of the workshop was to equip the engineers and field officers in the ministry with the knowledge and skills that will help them discharge their duties in the worksites and ensure safety of workers during construction activities in the country. Continuing he said that at the end of the workshop, the Engineers and officers would be equipped with the necessary knowledge and managerial skills to supervise construction sites without risk of accidents.

The Minister noted that one major factor responsible for accidents and deaths at workplaces was poor safety attitudes of workers, contractors and supervisors in charge of projects.  He said improving safety at worksites had now become government priority to ensure change of attitudes of workers and contractors working at sites.

According to him, globally over 63,000 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related illnesses while 317 million accidents occur on the job annually.  He stated that the global statistics by the International Labour Organization (ILO) were worrisome and government is committed to reducing accidents and fatality rates in construction sites.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry would like to partner with professional institutions like Occupational Safety and Health Association UK – Nigeria Region being one of the leading organizations in the field of Occupational Safety & Health that strive to achieve the mandate of the Ministry towards zero fatalities at worksites.  He requested OSHA to work closely with the relevant Departments of the Ministry on capacity building and training of staff on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE)

Aliyu pledged government total commitment towards implementing safety best practices in every activities of the Ministry.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Director of Engineering Services, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Julius Olunrinola said the Ministry have stepped up inspections and enforcement actions hence the need to deploy safety Engineers/Officers to all construction sites to enforce HSSE Policy.

Also speaking at the event is the President of OSH Association UK – Nigeria Region, Dr. Dahatu Mohammed who affirmed that safety was fundamental, basic and everyone’s business.  He added that this safety workshop was very important to the Ministry as 90% of work done by the Ministry is basically construction.  The creation of awareness to workers is meaningful to be able to achieve zero accident in construction sites.

Safety tips were highlighted by the Deputy Director, Central Workshop & Equipment Unit, Engr. Augustine Okwudiafor, as follows:

In time of emergency –

a)    Do not panic
b)    Stop all you are doing
c)     Leave calmly at the pace of the person in front of you
d)    Do not use the lift
e)    Assemble at the designated muster point

Speech by the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola san during the Commissionning of 100MVA, 132/33kv Transformer at Katampe Substation on February 12, 2018

Protocol

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is responsible for conveying electricity from the Generation Companies (GenCos) who produce at power stations in various locations to over seven hundred trading points where the Distribution Companies (DisCos) receive it and distribute it to consumers nationwide. The GenCos can now produce 7,000 MW, with more capacity coming. This Administration’s focus on delivering Incremental Power requires that TCN build and maintain the capacity and operational flexibility to transmit more than the GenCos can produce, to ensure stable and reliable power delivery to the DisCos and other customers connected directly to the National Grid.

As part of the program, another milestone has been achieved here in the capital city of Abuja with the installation of additional 1x100MVA Transformer at Katampe and another of the same capacity at Apo. The capacity of the Katampe 132/33kV substation, prior to this installation, was 120MVA. Therefore, with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 220MVA. Similarly, the Apo 132/33kV substation has been raised from 190MVA to 290MWA.

The two transformer projects, executed by Messrs. MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects (NEGIP) financed by the World Bank.

With the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV Transformers, the communities listed below are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport all located within the FCT Abuja.

With this development, TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but has also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.

The installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW.

TCN also has advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation. This project is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP.

TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.

Five new Substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new Stations 330/132/33kV Substations under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while.

I wish to thank the Honourable Minister of FCT for the cooperation he accorded TCN, which made this commissioning possible. TCN and the Ministry will continue to rely on the support and cooperation of the Honourable Minister of FCT, as we strive to meet the electricity requirements of Abuja, which is gradually transforming into a mega city. There is need to plan for the future expansion of Power Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the city.

Let me use this occasion to recognize the important collaboration that exists between FGN and Government of Japan under which Capacitor Banks worth over $10 million are being installed at Apo and Keffi substations. The Capacitor Bank in Apo, rated 22.5MVar is currently 80% completed. It will significantly improve the quality of power supply from Apo substation. The same collaboration is expected to also completely rehabilitate Apapa, Akangba, Isolo and Ikeja West Substations in Lagos.

In conclusion, on behalf of my colleague-Ministers and indeed the entire staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and housing, I congratulate TCN for successfully installing the 1X100MVA Transformer at Katampe and for the installation of another at Apo substation. The Ministry will continue to support its agencies, including TCN, to deliver Incremental Power to Nigerians.
Thank you.

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing