By Oscarline Onwuemenyi
ABUJA — President Goodluck Jonathan has said the government would give preference to indigenous contractors in its drive to improve electricity power in the country.

Jonathan, who was speaking on Tuesday at Talata Mafara Community, in Zamfara State, where he commissioned one of the two transformers, stated that his government was  totally committed to improving electricity supply in the country for industrial, socio-economic development of the country.

The project was executed by a local firm, Messrs Continental Engineering Nigeria Ltd, at the cost of over N699 million.

The President, while commending the indigenous contractor for the job well done, said his administration by next year would give more preference to local contractors.

Earlier, the Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, said the commissioning of the project by President Goodluck Jonathan would go a long way to address the problem of power shortage which is threatening the very foundation of the economy of Zamfara State people and survival of hundreds of thousands of the people predominantly made up of farming communities and small scale industries.

Governor Shinkafi said the people of Zamfara were grateful to the President and the gesture would  lead to the boosting of economic activities and revival of ailing industries in the state.

It will be recalled that President Jonathan also commissioned the new 2 x 60MVA, 132/33KV transmission substation, Kubwa, Abuja and reinforcement of the 132/33KV transmission substation, Apo, Abuja on September 28, 2010.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Power, Arc. Nuhu Somo Wya, has appealed to the community to allow the speedy repairs of the second transformer to ensure flexibility of operations in the transmission sub-station in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.

Wya stated that efforts to move the transformer out to a workshop in Lagos for inspection and repairs, was resisted by the local community.

However, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government would collaborate with the state government to persuade members of the community to permit the repairs.

Wya stated that commissioning of the 2 x 30 140MW, 132/33KV transmission sub-station, Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, was one out of the numerous power projects completed across the country by the present administration.

The minister further stated that the project was expected to improve electricity supply in Zamfara State and its environs, thereby stimulating socio-economic activities in the areas.

Wya said the project was designed to increase and improve electricity supply not only to Talata Mafara, but the whole of Zamfara State and its surrounding areas.