When Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago assumed office , the administration paid N600 Million of the money owed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC ) , that invariably improved electricity supply to the state.
The good story is however short-lived with recent epileptic electricity distribution in the state as residents of Minna the state capital for instance hardly enjoy 4 hours supply of electricity.
Whereas the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TRCN) has confirmed the vandalisation of Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmision line , residents continue to groan in darkness.
Amid increasing hours of darkness in Niger State , the general manager, Public Affairs of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah confirmed the vandalisation of their lines, noting it as the 5th incident recorded on the transmission line between February and March this year.
Coincidentally within these periods the electricity supply to the state worsened and made residents question why the state is called a power state.
With high cost of diesel and Petroleum Motor Spirit small scale businesses that depend on AEDC suffer because they cannot afford the fuel to power generators. Some of the residents interviewed could not hide their frustration with the latest development in the state.
Already, the Niger State House of Assembly has summoned the Regional Manager of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), to appear before it to explain why there is an epileptic power supply in the state.
This was the resolution at the plenary following the motion calling on the AEDC to appear before the 10th legislature as presented by Hon. Mohammed Alhaji Haruna, representing Bida II Constituency.
Hon. Haruna lamented that the AEDC was exploiting the people by not supplying adequate electricity commensurate with what the consumers were paying.
Meanwhile, the House unanimously agreed that the regional manager should be served with an invitation letter immediately. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, urged the clerk to invite all relevant stakeholders to be part of the meeting.
A Resident of Minna Rashid Mohammed said “For three days in my area around Bosso, there is no supply. Can you imagine that? Under this heat wave and Ramadan combined?”
Another Minna resident, Yomi Femi said, “Even the business centre I operate is closed because I cannot afford fuel for my generator, it is sad. ”
A Barber Abdulmalik Umar said “Our business is dying , even some of our colleagues who are using inverter are complaining. I just wonder if we have electricity generation dams in Niger State.”
