By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state, over the weekend encouraged citizens to explore alternative sources of energy for their businesses as the government cannot help them in guaranteeing stable electricity supply.
Governor Bago spoke during an interactive session with journalists at Government House, Minna on Saturday, adding that even the state government have been enjoying alternative power source and no longer connected to the national grid.
Making what seems like confessional statement after citizens had waited for years on the state government for improved power supply by ending dominance or monopoly of power supply to Niger state by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Governor Bago said whoever is interested should look for alternative sources of power to guarantee stable electricity supply.
Though Niger state is hosting Nigeria's three or four major Hydro power generating dams; Kainji Shiroro, Jebba and the most recent, Zungeru dam, prevailing situation indicates that Niger state government has no hands in anything that has to do with power generation or supply to the state.
"The state government already transitioned some government ministries, boards and parastatals; including hospitals, schools, and government house off the national grid to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply".
Governor Bago told citizens who has been waiting to be educated on why they were not carried along but abandoned to their fate that they are at liberty to negotiate with alternative sources of power if they can no longer contend with endless excuses and apologies by the AEDC.
On the security situation that have left about ten local government areas almost completely isolated Governor Bago revealed that collaborative efforts between the state and the federal government is being worked out to restore normalcy in all the affected communities.
Governor Bago who used the forum to appreciate journalists for reporting achievements of hus administration in the past two years nevertheless expressed regrets that over 300, 000 people were affected by the insecurity and flooding in 10 local government areas of the state. NNL.
