Improved electricity supply in Kogi excites Gov Bello
The recent improvement in electricity in many Kogi State’s communities, North Central Nigeria, has gladdened the governor of the state, Alhaji Yahya Bello.
“Today, we are glad that there is a relative improvement in the power generation and transmission across Nigeria, especially in Kogi State,’’ Bello said.
He commended the Federal Government on Monday at the 22nd Power Sector Monthly Meeting with power stakeholders and other participants held at the Geregu Power Plc in Ajaokuta.
“The Federal Government has virtually solved all the power problems, but we need a little patient for all the various communities who do not have electricity in Kogi to be identified and install the required transformers in those areas.
“When we assumed office, we met a dispute regarding Kabba Power Transmission sub-station, but we immediately waded in and resolved the issues for the work to be completed,” Bello said.
However, The Daily Times learnt that beyond the governor’s euphoria, several communities across the state, particularly Ife-Olukotun, Ponyan, Oranre, Igbagun and Alu, in Yagba East Local Government Area of the state have been in perennial darkness over the past four years,
leaving business and social lives in the area completely paralysed, especially following the failure of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC) to supply electricity to them.
Earlier, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said that the power production had reached an all-time high of over 7,000 megawatts for the nation.
“On Friday Dec. 8, we reached an all-time power production of 7,000 and a great peak supply of 5,155 Megawatts, which Nigeria had never produced or generated that much power onto the Grid.
“The last supply was 5074 MW in January 2016, after which we went into a season of disruption of gas supply by militants.
Mr Adeyemi Adenuga, the Managing Director, Generation, Geregu Power Plant plant, said the plant was handed over to private company on Oct. 1, 2013, saying. the new owners have invested about 94 million dollars into the plant to make it what it is today.
Special Adviser on Energy and Power to Kogi State Governor, Hon Otayitie Eminefo, applauded the minister and stakeholders for their visit to the State, saying, it was timely.
He said the government had invested so much in distribution of power assets across the state to enhance businesses, as well as the welfare of the people.
Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency Report
