Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Niger state government have announced a partnership to improve electricity supply to residents of the North-central state.
The initiative codenamed “Light Up Niger 2024” was made public when Governor Mohammed Bago received the AEDC delegation led by its Chief Operations Officer, Chijioke Okwuokenye, at the Government House, Minna.
Bago described the initiative as a welcome development because Niger State is host to four hydro dams, stressing that the dams contribute some electricity to the national grid.
He also observed that power supply is key to development, especially as the state is moving into an industrialisation and processing zone and expressed optimism that the project will see the resolution of the metering challenge in the state.
Bago disclosed that the Electricity Act had been domesticated in the state and that the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission had already been created.
He further stated that the necessary paperwork for the regulatory commission will soon be completed so that the state can start generating and distributing its own power.
In his remarks, Okwuokenye explained that the project when it takes off, will pave the way for improvement and sustenance of electricity supply to Niger state.