By Oriri Peter

In it’s quest to boost industrial growth in Plateau State, the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc would soon commence the construction and rehabilitation of 33kv dedicated lines to ZUMA STEEL MILL, Jos.
11
In a press statement officially signed by Dr Friday Adakole Elijah, Head, Corporate Communications of the company noted that the Managing Director, of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Engr Abdul Bello Mohammed made the disclosure last week when he and his Chief Technical Officer, Engr Hamisu Jigawa visited the premises of the steel rolling mills to ascertain the current status of the energy need to be supplied to the plant as well as the state of supply equipment from the Transmission to the plant.

Consequently, the technical team from Jos Electricity Distribution Plc led by the Chief Technical Officer, carried out a comprehensive technical assessment of the networks and the various components of the power supply equipment in the mills.

The Managing Director who was optimistic that the electricity supply would be connected to the plant before the end of this month – July 2023, said that the anticipated dedicated line to feed the Steel mills would emanate from Makeri Transmission Station, Jos.

Read Also: JEDC, Unions Endorse The Conditions Of Service For Staff

He explained that this would only be possible after complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of the vandalized components of the overhead lines which is about one-kilometre distance.

He further disclosed that Jos Electricity Distribution Plc would avail ZUMA STEEL both ” technical and professional support in testing the 2/20 MVA, 33/6.6 kV power transformers, 2/500KVA, 33/0.415 KV and 14 numbers of other transformers within the plant including the underground cables networks to ascertain their standard and their integrity”.

He elucidated that the purpose of the above, “is to test the machines and ascertain their functionality” adding, “Phase two will involve the provision of a dedicated line in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria”.

The attempt to provide electricity to the plant which has been in a state of comatose since taking over the defunct Jos Steel Rolling Mills in 2004 was a sequel to an invitation to the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc by the ZUMA STEEL Coordinator, Engr. Oche Landop.

Engr. Landon who was elated by the development said that this was the first time that the company was getting serious attention from the electricity outfit.

He disclosed that when ZUMA STEEL begins operations, it has the capacity of consuming not less than 7 MW.

The Coordinator further disclosed that shortly after the privatisation of the defunct Jos Steel Rolling Mills which culminated into a new ownership by ZUMA STEEL WEST AFRICA, the contemplation was to embark on self-energy generation that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the new owners given the poor quality of energy supply from the national grid.

” The supply then was too poor to power our machinery. But with the coming on board of the current Managing Director of the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, we observed that power supply to Plateau State has significantly improved, hence the need to apply for reconnection” said the steel coordinator.

The steel company when it commences operations can absorb thousands of unemployed people as well as reduce the high cost of high-quality building materials.

It will be recalled that since taking over the mantle of leadership of the electricity company, Engr Mohammed had at various times embarked on business trips to companies that can consume huge energy.

Some of the companies visited and lobbied to embrace Jos Electricity Distribution Plc for their energy intake were Dangote Cement Plant in Gboko, Nasco Group of Companies Jos, Dilcon Corporation Jos, Grand Cereal, and T – Amin Rice among others.