The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched a power integration project – named North Core – which will connect much-needed power lines from Nigeria to Niger, the Benin Republic, Togo and Burkina Faso.
Not only will it shed some light in these countries, it will also improve business and the economy.
The launch on Tuesday, February 22, was attended by the president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, the Nigerian minister of defence, Major-General Bashir Salihu Magashi, and representatives from the other countries.
The power lines will stretch 875km and will provide electricity to hundreds of rural communities in the countries involved.
The aim of the project is to generate power in an effort to provide a vast electrical supply, which will boost businesses in the region.
Advocate Umar Shehu Kyari, a public affairs commentator, told RNI reporter Aisha Jamal that it will be an integrated power project that will curtail long-existing electrical problems that the region faces.
“The project will be successful because it will serve as a solution to some of the economic crises that have resulted from poor power supply. We expect it to generate many investments, create jobs and revive the existing ones that are not operating well because of the inconsistency in the power supply.”
He said electricity was a huge factor that could change the lives of many. The region needs to boost businesses so that the countries involved can boost their economies. It is exactly what the region needs now.”
In an interview with the BBC, the Nigerian minister of power, Abubakar Aliyu, was quoted as saying: “The project is an electricity business to be built in West Africa from Kebbi in northwest Nigeria, through the Niger Republic to Togo, the Republic of Benin and will stop in Burkina Faso. Each country will work within their areas and the lines will be linked at each border post.”
Borno State in northeast Nigeria has faced the lack of electricity for more than a year now. This project will give residents some hope, including Fatima Wakili, a Maiduguri resident and student, who said: “The project is a very good thing for the people of this city because we have spent more than a year without power. Living without electricity is very difficult and it affects everyone. When I received news about the project, it gave me hope. I can use electricity to charge my gadgets. It will make studying easier. Sometimes I have skipped assignments because there is not power. And that really does not help my studies.”
