From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), has officially taken over the Temporary National Control Center of room building extension and the SCADA/EMS at the Gwagwalada 330kV Transmission Substation, from Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN).
According to the TCN, the facility is to serve as a temporary National Control Centre (NCC), in Abuja which is part of ongoing efforts in improving grid management and coordination across the country.
Speaking at the handingover ceremony in Abuja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engineer Sule Abdulaziz, described the ceremony as a defining moment for the company.
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The Managing Director who was represented by the General Manager, Project Coordination, Engr. Amini Tahir, said, the occasion mark a significant milestone in the collective effort to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure and enhance national power coordination.
He said, the completion of this facility signals more than the end of a construction project. Noting that it represents the start of a new phase in grid management.
The building was designed as temporary accommodation for the newly acquired SCADA-EMS and telecommunications systems, as well as a dedicated team of operational staff who will manage grid operations from the location.
With the handingover, NISO will now take full responsibility of operating and maintaining the facility. On this, Engr. Abdulaziz added that, the move is key to better grid management, improved system reliability, and better service delivery for Nigerians.
He expressed that the collaboration between TCN and NISO is laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient national grid.
The TCN boss also acknowledged the World Bank for its sustained support throughout the project. Reaffirmed that TCN is committed to collaborate, innovate, and service delivery as the facility commences operations under NISO. The interim centre will function until the eventual commissioning of the permanent National Control Centre in Gwagwalada.
In his acceptance remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello, who was represented by the General Manager, System Planning, Engr. Kabir Adamu, thanked TCN Management for delivering the project and said the handover is a critical step toward improving the operational capacity of the nation’s electricity grid.
He assured that NISO will manage the facility responsibly and pledged continued collaboration to advance the power sector.
Also speaking, the TCN’s Project Manager, Engr. Samuel Fakinlade, explained on the next phase for the facility. Saying, once the permanent NCC building is completed, the equipment and staff currently housed at the interim centre will be relocated, and the building will be returned to TCN. The facility houses the newly installed SCADA-EMS and telecommunications system designed to support real-time grid management and strengthen system operations in the interim.
