Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has said that his administration has so far distributed 150 transformers aimed at improving power supply across the state.
This is just as Governor Sule expressed readiness to build another power substation estimated at five hundred million naira, in order to improve electricity supply especially in Lafia, the state capital.
Governor Sule made this known when he met with Regional Manager of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Engr. Baro Ahmed, at the Government House on Wednesday.
The meeting, which was at the instance of the Governor, was aimed at addressing the persistent power supply problem, especially in Lafia and environs.
According to the Governor, though it shouldn’t be the business of government to buy transformers, especially that AEDC is the only company responsible for collecting revenue from power consumers, his administration has gone ahead to buy 150 transformers in order that communities in the state could be linked to the national grid.
He showed his readiness to enter an agreement with the management of the AEDC with a view to constructing another power substation in Lafia, estimated to cost five hundred million naira.
The Governor thereafter directed the General Manager of the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NaEPA), Engr. Abubakar Danjuma Ango to arrange a meeting with the management of AEDC in Abuja where modalities for the agreement would be discussed.
Governor Sule said he called the meeting because of the persistent complaints from electricity consumers from across the state, who continously express their dissatisfaction with power supply recently.
He said he wanted to hear from AEDC why power supply especially in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital has been epileptic.
On realizing that the issue is not even the matter of distribution, with Lafia that used to get 20 megawatts of electricity now only able to get seven megawatts, the Governor blamed the AEDC for lacking a robust communication system to inform their consumers of what is happening.
He added that sometimes the AEDC takes the heat that is not theirs because the company is not communicating for their consumers to get to understand what is happening.
“People of Lafia were supposed to be getting 20 megawatts every day. We are only getting 7 megawatts. You need to create public awareness. The country is not generating enough but that you are having peculiar issues here in Lafia,” he said.
Governor Sule insisted that AEDC should have opened up to the people of Lafia by telling them that four years ago, Lafia needed only 4 megawatts daily but that now it needs 20 megawatts because of the springing up of mini industries.
He explained that his administration has invested huge resources in the area of power and is ready to take necessary steps towards ensuring steady electricity supply in the state, especially in Lafia, the state capital.
He reiterated the readiness of his administration to work with critical stakeholders in the power sector in order to ensure improved power supply to the state and especially Lafia, the state capital.
Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, urged officials of the AEDC to proceed with caution when they go out to collect electricity dues, especially that the power supply in the month of February was poor.
The SGNS called on AEDC to consider the prevailing hardship being experienced across the country, and not to charge their customers exorbitantly, particularly that they did not enjoyed steady power supply in this month of February.
Earlier, General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NaEPA), Engr Abubakar Danjuma Ango, said the meeting was at the instance of Governor Sule, for the officials of the power company to ascertain factors responsible for the poor power supply in the state especially Lafia and its environs.
Responding, Regional Manager of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Engineer Baro Ahmed, disclosed that presently the country is generating only 4000 megawatts of power, which he said is grossly inadequate.
Engr. Ahmed pointed out that Lafia that used to get 20 megawatts daily now gets only 7 megawatts.
He however explained that Lafia is currently experiencing power supply issues because of peculiar problems associated with overloading of available feeders.
The AEDC regional manager accepted to communicate further on the willingness of the state government to partner the power company with a view to constructing another substation that would serve to decongest the valuable feeders.
On his part, AEDC Lafia Manager, Isa Mohammed, said an additional power substation would greatly improve power supply especially in Lafia the state capital.
He commended Governor Sule for his efforts to attract investors into the state, which has brought improved revenue to the AEDC.
“Today, because of the emergence of mini industries, Lafia is needing about 20 megawatts daily,” he said.
He particularly appreciated the Governor for doing a lot to ensure that power is supplied across the state.
“I never new a Governor will come, a cable you buy, transformer you buy. What are we talking about? Your people should appreciate you. You are doing a lot,” the Lafia AEDC Manager said.