The Kogi State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, 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, Mohamed disclosed that when the bill becomes law, it will create job 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 needed support to ensure its quick passage and ascent by the Executive.
“What are we all yearning for? We want stable, safe 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, a lot of jobs will be created. These are all the opportunities that Kogites will expect from the bill by the special grace of God” he stated.
In his submissions, 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.
He said, before now, many Nigerians have experienced a series of harassment from the electricity regulatory agency in Kogi State. It is important that the rights of consumers be properly stated in this bill” he added.
A senior lawyer in Kogi State, Bamidele Suru also aligned with the position of Miliki, saying, “I am currently in court because of the obnoxious operations of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC. There is an urgent need to protect the consumer as this bill is passed into law”.
Other Speakers at the public hearing emphasised the need for the Kogi State Government to key into renewable energy, adding that, there should be a legal framework, and monitoring team to sanction airing stakeholders when the bill becomes law.
