Kaduna State Government has connected about 40 rural communities to the national electricity grid within the last 23 months, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said yesterday.
Speaking while commissioning four (4) new injection substations completed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Yero said his administration has executed rural electrification projects in all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said “the completed projects have improved economic and social activities in the benefiting communities and we have awarded contracts for more rural electrification projects, which we hope to complete before the end of the year.”
The Governor said Government investment in provision of the electricity was aimed at reviving industries and agricultural production in rural areas where farmers are being encouraged to explore the economic potential in agriculture value chain.
He said “Government has made huge investments in increasing capacity in the power sector and this will soon translate into improved electricity supply for domestic and industrial purposes.”
Governor Yero said the desire of the country to join the league of global economic giants cannot be realised without sufficient energy to drive the productive sectors, adding that “In Kaduna State, we plan to establish industries, especially in food processing and storage, but we are mindful that with insufficient power supply, such initiative will not produce the desired result.”
He therefore pledges his administration’s commitment towards ensuring the completion of all ongoing power projects in the State, adding that, “we believe that provision of adequate power in the state will go a long way in revitalizing and resuscitating moribund industries in the state.”
While congratulating management of the NDPHC for successfully completing work on the four substations, the Governor called on the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to ensure optimal operation of the substations, saying “what the people expect from this whole process is stable power supply at reasonable cost.”
He also called on electricity consumers in the state to ensure prompt payment of electricity bill, saying; “I urge all of us to endeavour to pay our electricity bills as at when due.
“As we have witnessed in the last few years, electricity requires huge investment that cannot be provided by Government alone. The business atmosphere has changed and we must accept the present realities.”
The event was attended by stakeholders in the power sector including the Minister of State for Power and traditional rulers.
“The four substations are located at Nigerian Air Force Base, Mothercat, Constitution Road- Kaduna and Hanwa GRA in Zaria.
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