… Assures of 24 hours uninterrupted electricity supply.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engr Abdulmutalib Mohamed has assured the people of the State of an uninterrupted power supply when a bill for a law to establish the Kogi State electricity market and the Kogi State electricity regulatory commission is passed into law.
Speaking at a public hearing organized by the Kogi State House of Assembly on Monday, Engr. Mohamed disclosed that when the bill becomes law, it will create jobs opportunities for youths and Kogi State will become the industrial hub of the nation.
He appealed to all stakeholders to give the bill all the need support to ensure quick passage and ascent by the Executive.
“What are we all yearning for? We want a stable, save and cost effective electricity. This is what we are all yearning for. This is what will be coming into Kogi. The other thing is that, there will be abundant opportunities. Industries are going to spring up, alot of job will be created.
“This are all the opportunities that Kogites will expect from the bill by the special grace of God. It is a great thing that is happening in Kogi State. I give glory to God for it is coming in my own time.
“I have been trained in the power sector for 26 years. Glory be to God, those that trained me are the people who actually came and give their expertise into the bill. It has been open for the public to make their input which they have all eventually made. It is our prayers that once the bill is passed, we will be set for business and it will be great for the people of Kogi State as investors will come into the State to make everything work out.
“It is going to be great. That is why the experts who have done it at the Federal level at the beginning and has actually identified where it went wrong, are the people that came in terms of advice and observation to the bill.
“The leadership of the house has been able pinpoint the importance of these people and other key stakeholders who want this bill to see the light of the day for the benefits of our people. With this, we are sure that we have been given the steps to get it right from the beginning. Those that knows the road, are the people we have called to show us the road”.
In his submissions, Comrade Idris Miliki, the Executive Director, Conscience of Human Rights and Conflict Resolutions, (CHRCR), observed that the right of the consumer is not explicitly captured in the bill” Before now, we have never and many Nigerians have experienced series of harassment from electricity regulatory agency in Kogi State. It is important that the right of consumers must be properly stated in this bill” he added.
A senior lawyer in Kogi State, Barrister Bamidele Suru also aligned himself with the position of Comrade Miliki.
“I am currently in court because of the obnoxious operations of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). There is urgent need to protect the consumer as this bill is passed into law”.
The Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu, also observed that the bill did not capture the right of consumers in the State.
On the issue of the Council, Aliyu said consumer representative, stakeholders can easily be represented to discuss issues that will affect both customers and key players in the State.
Other speakers at the public hearing emphasized the need for the Kogi State Government to key into renewable energy, adding that, there should be a legal frame work, and monitoring team to sanction airing stakeholders when the bill becomes law.
For the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, with potential of the dam, electricity will be generated in the State, stressing that the Nigeria society of engineers is throwing it weight behind the passage of the bill.
He observed that there is need for the representation of a professional body for the Kogi State electricity regulatory agency.
