FCTA seeks investment in portable electricity generation

Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will encourage investment in portable power generation options using renewable energy to address epileptic power supply in the territory.

FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Bello who spoke on the achievements and challenges of his ministry, said that government was determined to put an end to poor electricity supply in the country.

“A number of investors have come to us for investment in power sector.

“We are not interested in adding power to the national grid, but to create clusters of portable power generation options using renewable energy.

“For instance, if we get investors willing to power the University of Abuja with solar energy which the territory is endowed with, this will relieve the pressure on the national grid.

“The modular system can pay for itself and it is safe from carbon emission,’’ he said.

The minister disclosed that the FCT with about 8000 square kilometre land mass, development was concentrated in the city centre in negation of the territory’s development plan.

In attracting investments to the FCT, the minister said he would hasten the approval process with respect to land transactions.

According to him, the administration is also championing intervention programmes on sustainable mechanised agriculture for employment generation

In the area of environment, he said the administration was working towards improving waste management in the city through processing of solid and liquid waste for power and organic manure.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah who also spoke to NAN, assured that government would implement the Industrial Revolution Plan.

He said Industrial parks with modern infrastructure would be developed across states to create jobs, encourage investors and boost economy.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige who also spoke to NAN, said that moribund skill acquisition and vocational centres across the country would be revived.

He assured that government diversification programme would create jobs in the agriculture and railway sectors. (NAN)