Business and Economy
Epileptic power Supply: Restore normal electricity or quit Nasarawa — Assembly orders AEDC, Issues 14days ultimatum, drill AEDC MD for over 4 hours
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By David Okpashi
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Tuesday issued the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC 14 days ultimatum to restore normal electricity to communities across the State or quit immediately for serious company to take over
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.
The Speaker said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable the agencies brief the House on the power situation that has resulted in what they lawmakers described as blackout and outrageous bills in the state.
“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 leave us with no option than to ask you to quit and we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light
” Secondly, the Area Manager Power Gen Interconnected Energy LTD handling electrification project in Toto Local Government 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 ”
” 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”
The Lawmakers who were unanimous in their decision, noted with regret how 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 not enjoyed the light”
All the lawmaker who spoke lamented bitterly and stressed the need for AEDC to sit up in their responsibilities or quit the State to enable government engage more competent hand that will deliver.
After series of questions, Engr. 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 of 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.
The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to 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, Engr. 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.
On allegations that he use a personal transformer that powered his house 24 hours without others benefitting where he is residing, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company, the statement that does not go down well with the lawmakers and the GM immediately tendered his apology.
The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.
It would be recalled that on April 23, 2024, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has summoned the Area Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to appear before the House on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.
The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), Engr. Yakubu Suleiman to appear before the House on April 30.
This, the House said, the invitation extended to them was to enable them tell the House why is it that there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.
Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House gave the summon after Hon. Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central) raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.
In a related development, the House has passed into first reading A Bill for a Law to Amend the Nasarawa State Agency for Youth Empowerment Scheme ( NAYES) and For Other Matters Connected Thereto which was sponsored by Hon Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, member representing Lafia Central constituency.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, slated May 21st, 2024 for the second reading of the bill.
Furthermore, the House has passed into first reading A Bill for a Law to Establish the State Security Trust Fund in Nasarawa State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith moved by Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Danladi Jatau slated May 22nd, 2024 for the second reading of the bill
Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House moved motions for the two bills to scale first reading which were seconded by Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Minority Leader of the House
The House unanimously passed the two bills into first reading.
