The Nasarawa State Government has moved to tackle the epileptic power supply grappling the state for over 20 years.

This was disclosed to Channels Television by the State Commissioner of Works, Wada Yahaya.

According to the Commissioner, “The state is on the verge of a steady supply soon. Nasarawa State since its creation in 1996 has been grappling with epileptic power supply.

“This has no doubt affected its economy as the use of generating sets is the only option for businesses to thrive.”

An auto painter, Nnamdi Nwosu, and a printer, Lawrence Maianguwa, spoke on their challenges and seek a headway.

“Well greatly it has affected us seriously, on a daily basis I almost run my business on petrol that is generator precisely and in a day I use up to 10 litres of petrol, so you can imagine times it by six days of the week and you will know what it is.

“For someone to depend on generator, it really affects the person because by the time you do your cost of production it affects you if you are to add it to what you are selling, customers will not be finding it easy to patronise you based on the cost,” Nnamdi said.

“It affects my business because sometimes even if I have a challenge on my generator, my customers have to wait until I go and repair it because I don’t have two generators and the cost of fuel is another challenge in the business. It is our earnest prayer that the government should do something about it. We don’t know even the electricity companies will give us bill without light, even if they give us light, it is not strong. The government should do something about it because it will also help us,” Lawrence said.

Nevertheless, the government said it is not resting on its oars as it has moved to tackle the problem through a synergy with the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

The governor said the project is a fulcrum for industrial development.

“This project to us in Nasarawa State is a cash cow, is a fulcrum, is a foundation, is a springboard for industrial, economic and commercial development. Every citizen of Nasarawa State is only waiting for NIPP to commence this project.”

However, the Commissioner of Works assured of a steady supply when the project is completed.

“Lafia is the only state capital that is being fed with 33KVA so the entire Lafia is relying on that. You can imagine when 330KVA is dropped and with the fact that it is going to be the biggest in northern Nigeria with double of 100 by 150MVA and 4 off 60MVA.

“I think we will have more than enough and with the assurance of the company, it will be a mini-generation plant because the power will be transported back to Abuja and other areas instead of us consuming from Abuja. So the issue of having sufficient power I think it is an understatement.”

Residents of the state and business owners are anticipating that after completion the project businesses will come alive which in turn will boost the economy of the state.

(Channels TV)

Update news