The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has taken a firm stance against the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), demanding a swift resolution to the prolonged power outages affecting communities across the state.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, articulated the assembly’s frustration during a session where representatives from AEDC and the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) were summoned to address the issue.
Speaker Jatau emphasized that the purpose of inviting AEDC was to shed light on the persistent power blackouts and exorbitant billing practices plaguing the state.
He lamented that the inadequate services provided by AEDC were exacerbating hardships and perpetuating poverty among the populace.
“Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness. Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light.”
Expressing the gravity of the situation, Speaker Jatau issued a decisive ultimatum AEDC had a mere 14 days to rectify the electricity supply situation across the state.
“Our resolution is to the effect that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the state and failure to do that, we will left with no option to ask them to quit and we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light. “
Failure to meet this deadline would compel the assembly to seek alternative solutions, including potentially replacing AEDC with more competent service providers.
Furthermore, the assembly directed the Area Manager of PowerGen Interconnected Energy Ltd, responsible for electrification projects in Toto local government, to appear before them on May 21st, 2024. This summons aimed to elucidate the company’s role in power distribution within the area.
While acknowledging Governor Abdullahi Sule’s efforts to bolster power supply in the state through the Akurba power substation, Speaker Jatau expressed disappointment at the apparent sabotage undermining these initiatives.
In response to the assembly’s grievances, Engr. Adeyemi Jonathan Kehinde, the AEDC Chief Business Officer for Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa, conceded that the company had not been fully successful in replacing damaged infrastructure such as transformers and cables. However, he pledged to redouble efforts to improve electricity provision in the state.
Similarly, Engr. Yakubu Suleiman Umar, the General Manager of NAePA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring consistent power supply to communities across Nasarawa State.
He assured the assembly of his unwavering dedication to enhancing the current situation.
Photo Credit, Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau
