The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for urgent intervention by the state government to restore public electricity supply to Ankpa Local Government Area.
Hon. Lawal Akus, who represents Ankpa 1 State Constituency, moved the motion during plenary in Lokoja, the state capital, on Friday.
Akus said Ankpa, one of the most populous and economically significant LGAs in Kogi East, has been in total blackout for over a year.
He said the prolonged power outage has crippled businesses, endangered healthcare delivery, and worsened insecurity in the area.
His words: “Ankpa has been in total blackout for over one year, a persistent crisis that represents a serious developmental setback with grave implications for education, healthcare, commerce and public safety.
“We cannot remain silent while thousands of our constituents continue to suffer. The lack of electricity has caused immense hardship to residents and resulted in crippling losses for small businesses, public institutions, health facilities and security operations.”
Akus said the area was previously connected to a 33kV line from Otukpo in Benue, but the supply collapsed due to heavy overload on the line which also served Omala and Olamaboro LGAs.
He said a more viable route from Ajaokuta via Anyigba had been recommended, with temporary improvements made in 2022 and 2023 in collaboration with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
However, he said the power supply became unstable and eventually deteriorated into another prolonged blackout.
“It is most disheartening that Ankpa, the commercial hub of Kogi East, and its surrounding communities remain without public electricity, exposing residents to worsening economic hardship and daily suffering,” he said.
Akus urged the Kogi Ministry of Rural Development to liaise with AEDC to restore power to the affected areas, replace damaged poles and cross arms, and provide transformers and armoured cables in specific locations.
He also called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to intervene with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for the completion of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in Ankpa, which includes two 7.5MVA injection substations now near completion.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Alewo Ujah Anthony, who represents Olamaboro Constituency. He appealed for Olamaboro to be included in the intervention plan.
Other lawmakers who supported the motion include Hon. Sunday Dakku of Bassa, Hon. Bode Ogunmola of Ogori Magongo, Hon. Idris Aliyu of Kogi/Koton-Karfe, Hon. Umar Yahaya of Omala, Hon. Shehu Tijani of Lokoja 1, Hon. Jibrin Abu of Ajaokuta, and Hon. Seyi Bello.
Abu described the situation as “untold hardship” and wondered how hospitals storing essential drugs and vaccines could continue operations without electricity.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu expressed concern and urged the state government to act swiftly.
The House unanimously adopted all the prayers and directed the clerk to communicate the resolutions to the executive and relevant agencies for immediate action.
