THE Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Niger State government have commenced a partnership initiative targeting a steady power supply for residents of the state.
The initiative is codenamed “Light Up Niger 2024”.
The state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, confirmed the partnership while receiving the AEDC delegation led by its chief operations officer, Chijioke Okwuokenye, at the Government House, Minna, on Tuesday, March 19.
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He said the state was ready to host four hydro dams that would contribute significantly to electricity in Nigeria.
He further observed that power supply was key to development, especially as the state was growing into an industrial and food processing zone.
The governor said the “Light Up Niger” project would also proffer solutions to the metering challenge in the state.
Commenting further on the project, the governor said the Electricity Act had been domesticated in the state, while the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission had been created.
He further stated that the necessary paperwork for the Regulatory Commission would soon be completed so that the state could start generating and distributing its power.
In his remarks, the chief operating officer of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, explained that the “Light Up Niger” project would improve the state and ensure stable electricity when it kicked off.
He lauded the support of the Bago-led administration through the supply of transformers to communities, adding that the private sector needed such support for survival.
He also assured that his 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.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.