A Multi-Stakeholder Committee on Electricity Supply in Kebbi State has held an interactive session with critical stakeholders as part of efforts to identify lasting solutions to the persistent power supply challenges facing the state.
Speaking during the session, the Chairman of the Committee, Usman Abubakar Gwandu, said the meeting was organised to bring stakeholders together to deliberate on practical ways of addressing the lingering electricity problems in the state.
According to him, the committee was divided into three sub-committees to allow professionals, experts and members of the public to contribute ideas and recommendations toward resolving the challenges associated with electricity supply and the operations of Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
He explained that the committee had already engaged traditional rulers, journalists and technical experts to explore alternative energy sources and develop workable recommendations that would be presented to the government for necessary action.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical and Supply Sub-Committee, Abdulsalam Muhammad, identified several challenges affecting electricity consumers in the state, including ignorance, alleged extortion by electricity officials, and inadequate power supply to customers.
He further listed vandalism, lack of infrastructure upgrades, shortage of personnel, inadequate prepaid meters and poor remittance of generated revenue as some of the major obstacles hindering efficient electricity distribution.
An energy expert, A A Gulma, said the time had come for both the Kebbi State Government and the Federal Government to seek alternative solutions to electricity generation, noting that the current system could no longer meet public demand.
Professor Gulma called on government authorities to provide and install modern equipment capable of improving power generation and reducing the persistent problem of epileptic electricity supply.
He also advocated increased deployment of solar energy systems across government ministries, departments and agencies, schools, hospitals and irrigation facilities to reduce overdependence on the distribution company.
In his remarks, the Kebbi Regional Manager of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Abdulrashid Muhammad, acknowledged the challenges confronting the company, particularly in its commercial operations.
He, however, assured stakeholders that the company would continue to cooperate with the committee and the public to improve electricity supply in the state.
Several electricity consumers who attended the session expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the nation’s power sector, warning that residents were increasingly being pushed to the limit by poor electricity supply and rising hardship.
They warned that without urgent intervention, the crisis could further disrupt economic activities and worsen the living conditions of millions of Nigerians.