Abuja electricity company gets 14 days ultimatum to restore electricity supply in Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has given 14 days ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore normal electricity power supply to communities across the State or quit immediately for a “more serious” company to take charge.
This the House said is to enable the people of the State enjoy full power supply and enhance business activities.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau stated this when AEDC officials and the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House during its proceedings on Tuesday in Lafia.
The Speaker said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the persistent power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.
According to the Speaker, “our resolutions is to the effect that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do so will left us with no option than to ask them to quit and we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the State normal light.
“Secondly, the Area Manager PowerGen Interconnected Energy LTD handling electrification project in Toto Local Government Area is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024 to explain their role in power distribution in the area and they should come with documents that clear them on their engagement”
The Speaker commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in ensuring power supply in the State especially his efforts in ensuring full take off and success of the Akurba power sub-station but regretted that the Governor’s effort has been sabotaged.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.
“There is power black out and outrageous bills across the State by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering, we cannot take it”, he said.
He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the State.
“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”, he said.
After series of questions, Adeyemi Jonathan Kehinde, the AEDC Chief Business Officer incharge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa admitted that the company is not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers, cables among others to communities across the State.
He added that out to the 28,000 customers in the State only 8,000 has meters pleading for little time to change things for the better especially that he is a new man in the State.
“I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving in power supply across the State”, he said.
On his part, Yakubu Suleiman Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) said that the agency was established to ensure effective power supply to communities across the State noting that they are doing their best to deliver on their mandate.