Access to reliable electricity is not just a service but a fundamental enabler of education, Healthcare, industrial growth, and poverty alleviation, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has said.
He made the assertion during the opening ceremony of a Workshop on State Electricity Markets, State Level Integrated Resource Planing (IPR) and Plexes Software platform organized by Nigeria Governor’s Forum, UKNiAF and UK International Development at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, Wednesday.
The governor noted with appreciation the Federal Government’s concern over the issue of the lingering problems of power supply, paving way for the recent reform in Nigeria’s electricity sector particularly the enactment of the “Electricity Act” of 2023.
He said that such enactment had opened a new chapter for sub-national governments and also empowered states to take full regulatory control of power generation, transmission and distribution within their respective territories.
The Governor who was represented by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said that Kano state is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.
He further stated that as part of the state’s determined efforts to bring about lasting solutions to the present challenges facing electricity sector.
“The state has taken a bold step and strategies to lay a solid foundation for energy independence and economic resilience among the administration’s key Initiatives.”
Such steps according to the governor was the creation of the state Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy with a view to developing policies,driving innovations and investment across the electricity value chain.
Governor Yusuf emphasized that to solidify the government’s intention of reviving the sector, he championed the passage of the Kano State Electricity Law, describing it as a landmark legislation enacted by the state House of Assembly which provides a legal framework for the establishment of a fully functioning state electricity market.
” We revived and are nearing the completion of the abandoned Hydro Power Plant project which upon commissioning will provide stable and Eco-friendly power supply for our people in the state” the governor revealed.
On the workshop which he described as timely and essential, Governor Yusuf urged the participants to deeply engaged, share insight and collaborate towards a shared vision of energy, security and economic transformation not only in Kano but for all the states in Nigeria.
