In furtherance of his resolve to ensure 24-hour power supply in the state, particularly in Calabar, the Cross River state government has signed a pact with a Dubai based fitm, Skipper Seil, to provide a 100kva solar lighting generating system.
Also signed was an agreement for a 26 megawatts gas power turbine at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, as well as the training of trainers in the Institute of Technology and Management, Ugep.
At the agreement signing ceremony held at the Governor Ben Ayade’s office in Calabar, President of the firm, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva gave the assurance that his firm will commence construction in about two months.
“We will work very hard, fine tune all the activities and try to be on ground after the PPA in December. I want to assure you that the plant in Tinapa for 26 megawatts will give a boost to electricity and will be completed in 18 months’ time,” Sachdeva said.
He said his firm chose to invest in the state due to the investment friendly policies of the Ayade-led administration and the fact that the state is peaceful and safe.
On the Institute of Technology and Management, Ugep, the President, Skipper Seil group disclosed that “in addition to our Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), we have sent our team for the study of the technical Institute here in the state, and I can, with pride say, we are going to associate with your state in education as the Institute is now fully geared to start.”
Sachdeva expressed confidence in the zeal and doggedness of Governor Ayade, whom he described as “one of the few governors in Nigeria today who are paying salaries on time, “adding that “your projects are moving, your garment factory has been completed and I see you getting energy all the time even in the night and morning.”
Responding, Governor Ayade disclosed that the 100kvm solar power intervention will serve as a grid for industrial zones across the 18 LGAs in the state.
According to him, “solar power is a new way to go, because it is one way of reducing carbon emission to the atmosphere. It also creates new job opportunities for young people who are now interested in going into solar energy.”
The governor also hinted that discussions were at advanced stage for the immediate communities where the power plants will be located to enjoy power supply from the plants.
On the intervention on education by the Dubai-based firm, Ayade said: “My original dream was to build a builder’s academy. I will like to see the superhighway and seaport being constructed by a team of Cross Riverians who have been trained by our skill school.
“It is our strong hope that Skipper Seil will provide the Indian technology which today is indisputable anymore,” adding that “truly, truly, ITM will take a true breath of full technical capacity while upgrading it to a polytechnic to allow it have some federal interventions and sustain its philosophy to provide skilled hands-on training.
