By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Niger State Government have come up with an initiative code named “Light Up Niger 2024” aimed to ensure a improved and steady power supply to Nigerlites.
This came up when the Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago received the AEDC delegation led by its Chief Operations Officer, Engr Chijioke Okwuokenye, at the Government House, Minna, according to a statement issued by the distribution company Wednesday.
Th Farmer Governor Umaru Bago described the initiative as a welcome development because Niger State is host to four hydro dams and the dams contribute about 60% electricity in Nigeria.
He observed that power supply is key to development, especially as the state is heading to becoming an industrialisation 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.
Bago disclosed that the Electricity Act has been domesticated in the state and the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been created.
He further stated that the necessary paperwork for the Commission will soon be completed so that the State could start generating and distributing its own power.
The Chief Operating Officer of AEDC, Engr Chijioke Okwuokenye, explained that the “Light Up Niger” project when it takes off, will pave way for greater things to come as the whole scope is to come up with the best measures that would improve and sustain electricity supply to Niger State.
He commended the support of the Bago-led administration through the supply of transformers to communities, adding that the private sector needs such support for survival and assured that the company was 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.