* Pleads With Gov Bago To Intervene On Epileptic Power Supply
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
As the dry season and associated hot weather intensifies, Niger State indigenes have expressed fears of possible outbreak of meningitis, pleaded with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to rescind his stance on electricity to end epileptic power supply.
The call for the Governor's urgent intervene is coming months after he told customers in the state that they are on their own, and are at liberty to go for alternative electricity supply since the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have failed to meet their electricity supply needs.
Governor Bago had while interacting with practicing journalists in the state disclosed that the state government no longer has hands on anything relating to electricity distribution/supply to customers in the state.
He also told all present at the Council chambers during the interactive session that he not only disconnected government house from the national grid, but making sure that all other government parastatals are connected to solar powered electricity.
The outburst regarding epileptic power supply people suffer in parts of the state however did not go down well with Nigerlites who believe that the Governor cannot shy away from his responsibilities of providing services in line with his electioneering campaign promises are insisting that the Governor owes them the duty of providing dividends of democracy, including social amenities like; electricity, drinkable water, qualitative/affordable health care delivery system and good roads without complaining.
Some Nigerlites had argued that, "Umar Bago solicited for our support, we voted for him as Governor, and other House of Assembly members to serve us, unfortunately they abandoned us for personal gains and that of their families and friends".
With the rising heat wave or hot weather which have forced people to sleep outside their houses at tge risk of snakes and scorpions, customers are calling on Governor Bago to intervene and save them from possible outbreak of meningities and other hot weather related challenges.
Joachim Ubale and Hauwa Alkali, a business man and a caterer are afraid that the rising heat wave in parts of the state, Minna the state capital in particular is capable of causing meningitis because there's no electricity to reduce the heat.
The fear of people now, according to Mrs. Naomi Nasara who sells minerals and sachet water is not only about meningities, but scorpions, centipede and snakes are dangerous animals commonly seen around at nights during hot weather.
"We now sleep outside because of heat, the weather is becoming too hot. We run away from heat inside the house to meet snakes, scorpions and centipedes always lurking around during hot weathers".
Expressing frustrations that Governor Bago after being voted into office is now pursuing his personal agenda against that of the poor masses suffering endless blackout.
Naomi told our correspondent, "We learnt that the Governor said everybody is on their own and that people should look for alternative power source, how many of us can afford alternative power source, and where do we get money for solar? Is the governor not supposed to negotiate with the services providers on our behalf?
Faulting the Governor's comments on electricity supply, the people accused Bago and few others in the corridors of power of abandoning the already impoverished masses to their fate while they enjoy tax payers monies to provide solar powered electricity luxuries for themselves. NNL.
