Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 6th Donors Joint Supervision Meeting for the Project, held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Engr. Abdulaziz said that the 880-kilometer 330kV transmission line project is a proof that regional cooperation can translate directly into better lives, stronger communities and a more hopeful future for the people.
Engr. Abdulaziz maintained that “this project goes beyond power lines. It’s about families switching on lights for the first time, gaining safety at night, time to work, and opportunities to start small businesses. It’s about students studying under bright lights, unlocking futures defined by knowledge. It’s about clinics and hospitals where reliable electricity powers life-saving equipment, offering hope and survival.”
He described the project as one of the most ambitious and transformative initiatives in the region, forming a backbone that will enable power exchange, improve grid stability and expand access to affordable electricity for millions.
According to him, “beyond the numbers, the North Core Project embodies a much deeper purpose. It represents the spirit of regional solidarity that shows that African nations can work together, share resources, and build a future where no community is left in the dark”.
He maintained that the project has recorded remarkable progress on several fronts ranging from civil works to equipment installation, environmental and social safeguards and local capacity development.
“Every kilometer of line, every tower erected, every substation energized brings us closer to the shared goal. Despite supply chain pressures and complex operating environments, the project implementation rate continues to rise and the foundations of a sustainable regional power network are taking shape”, he added.
The Chairman however decried security risks and instability in some regions which have disrupted logistics, delayed access to sites and raised cost of protecting workers and equipment. “In some areas, contractors have had to adapt operations to ensure safety, while maintaining project momentum. These realities remind us that infrastructure and security are intertwined, we cannot achieve one without addressing the other”.
Expressing gratitude to donor agencies; the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Secretary General of WAPP, as well as the utilities and technical teams, Abdulaziz stressed the need for coordinated risk management to ensure safe and effective operations in fragile areas.
In his remarks, the WAPP Secretary General, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, described the project as a catalyst for regional economic development and stability, enhancing West Africa’s economic competitiveness. “I thank TCN for their management of this project over the years. Despite progress, insecurity in some project areas has caused delays. We need national coordination to ensure the safety of equipment and lives,” Dia said.
The World Bank representative, Mr. Emmanuel PY, speaking at the occasion, acknowledged the progress made but urged collective action to overcome obstacles. “We’ve faced setbacks, including a terrorist attack on July 15 that affected the Nigeria-Niger segment. We must secure these areas to prevent recurrence and ensure project completion,” he said.
Speaking for the AfDB, Ms. Fatima Ball emphasized that the meeting aimed to review progress, identify bottlenecks, and ensure smooth project completion.
“We commend TCN, the WAPP Secretariat, and our partners for their efforts. The AfDB remains committed to this project, which we hope will set a global example for regional electricity integration,” she said.
The 6th meeting which ends on Friday, October 31st aims to analyse the technical and financial progress made and the compliance with environmental and social management issues.