Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has assured
the people of Kebbi State that his administration will do everything humanly possible to ensure they enjoy 24 hours electricity supply.
He also directed that a committee be established to investigate the causes of lingering epileptic power supply in the state.
Governor Idris made this known during a meeting with KEDCO management and electricity consumers held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday night.
The meeting, attended by the Managing Director, KEDCO, Dr Umar Hashidu, alongside other top management staff of the company, drew participants from various segments of society, electricity consumers from different walks of life, including government officials, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Trade Unions and ordinary citizens.
Governor Idris directed that the committee should comprise representatives from Kebbi Development Forum (KDF), Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, CSOs, State Assembly, All Progressive Congress (APC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Traditional Rulers, among others.
He stated that the committee would engage with the Kaduna Electric to identify the root causes of epileptic power supply to Kebbi and recommend actionable solutions.
Idris assured that: “As a government, we are looking for another alternative as far as power is concerned and In-Sha-Allah, we will get there.”
Earlier, the Secretary to Kebbi State Government (SSG), Yakubu Bala-Tafida, said the essence of the meeting was to discuss with the suppliers of electricity why Kebbi was underserved towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering challenges of power.
In their submission, Mr Usman Anache, the NLC Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the state, and Mr Ibrahim Ngaski, Chairman, CSOs Kebbi State chapter, described the lingering power shortage as a sabotage against the government.
They insisted that over 70 per cent of power challenges were deliberately caused by Kaduna Electric.
Also in their separate submission, the Chairman (KDF), Usman Abubakar, and the Youth Leader in the state, Ahmad Rufa’i, observed that Kaduna Electric did not invest 10 per cent of what the Kebbi Government invested in the purchase of electrical installations.
They urged the company to be fair, sincere and transparent in dealing with customers, adding that demands of Kaduna Electric on government and customers were endless.
The duo recalled that when power was under NEPA, the company used to replace poles, transformers, and other electrical installations, but today Kaduna Electric declines, leaving such responsibilities to government and communities.
In his response, the MD KEDCO insisted that the company was supplying power to Kebbi in different bands, adding that those on Band A were enjoying 24 hours power supply, while other bands were being served according to their band.
While assuring that, based on his record, Kebbi was getting power compared to some states, the MD, however, promised to improve the supply.
He also cited the vast landmass of Kebbi State as a logistical challenge, noting that it is comparable in size to some countries.
