BEJI’s ELECTRIFICATION: “Reality of Gov. Sani Bello’s Campaign Pledge” Engr. Aliyu

By Fodio Ahmed

The General Manager of the Niger State Electricity Board, Engr. Dr. Garba Aliyu has said that, the completion and commissioning of the 50 million naira Beji electrification project of Beji Community in Bosso Local Government is a “reality of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s campaign pledge, compassion and concern for his citizens”.

Engr. Aliyu stated this while interacting with FODIO AHMED in his office on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Speaking on the issue of epileptic power supply in the State, the GM stated that “People are un-aware that, power supply not just in Niger but the Country at large has been bonded to 3 stages ; having the Generation, Transmission and Distribution stages respectively”.

He added that, power generation and distribution are being managed by private companies while the transmission is handled by the Federal Government making the State Government not really a major player in electricity supply despite housing 3 hydro-power dams.

The GM also disclosed that, there are currently 11 distribution companies and Niger State, Kogi, Nassarawa and the FCT are served by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company situated at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“Another major reason of epileptic power supply is the un-fortunate activities of vandals who have destroyed pipelines, cables and other sensitive equipments” noting that, the country has “about 26 Generating Stations out of which 3 are HYDRO and the remaining 23 are THERMAL PLANTS that uses Natural Gas and due to the activities of vandals, the thermal stations cannot operate efficiently.

Engr. Aliyu explained that, the country now relies on the 3 hydro generating stations in Niger State ; Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro Stations which if combined, generates little above 2000 megawatts, that is if they are generating at maximum capacity to be distributed amongst the 36 States which is why the State is undergoing the power sharing modus operandi.

Quoting Engr. Aliyu “assuming the 23 thermal generating plants are not being disrupted via vandalism, the country would have reached the 10,000 megawatts target of the Federal Government” while appealing and calling for understanding from Nigerlites on the issue of power sharing, the GM noted that, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is not relenting regarding his earlier special demand of 13% share from the National Grid in the interest of Nigerlites.