….As Gov discloses creation of Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Niger State Government in collaboration with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have initiated the ‘Light Up Niger’ project in order to improve electricity supply to residents of the State.
The initiative code named “Light Up Niger (LN 2024)” is said to be be a collaboration between the Niger State Government and the AEDC to ensure a steady power supply to Nigerlites.
This came to light at the Government House in Minna when the AEDC delegation, headed by its Chief Operations Officer, Engineer Chijioke Okwuokenye, was received by Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by AEDC Management, the Farmer Governor, Umaru Bago said the initiative is a welcomed development because Niger State is host to four hydro dams and the dams contribute about 60 percent electricity in Nigeria.
Bago also emphasized that power supply is key to development especially as the State is moving into an industrialization and processing zone.
The Farmer Governor expressed optimism that the “Light Up Niger” project will also proffer solution to the metering challenge in the State.
Farmer Governor Umaru Bago further disclosed that the Electricity Act has been domesticated in the State and the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been created.
He said the necessary paperwork for the Regulatory Commission will soon be completed so that the State can start generating and distributing its own power.
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of AEDC, Eng. Chijioke Okwuokenye noted that the “Light Up Niger” project when takes off, will pave way for greater things to come as the whole scope is to come up with the best measures that will improve and sustain electricity supply to Nigerlites.
He commended the support of the Bago-led administration through the supply of transformers to communities saying that the private sector needs such support for survival and assured that the Company is willing to continue to partner with the State Government for the desired result.
Recently the State Government described as unacceptable the continuous erratic and epileptic power supply in the State. The situation improved immediately and has led to the “Light Up Niger” initiative.
