Power supply in Minna, Niger state

Nigerians are aware that there is a national problem with the generation and distribution of power as it is too low to round the country simultaneously which is why the load shedding (Rationing) formula was adopted. But the persistent blackout in some areas in Minna, the Niger State capital is totally unacceptable.

Niger State is home to three Hydro-Electric dams designed to generate over 1500mega watts. Kainji dam has a surface area of about 130,000 hectares with generating capacity of 750mega watts. Shiroro dam has a surface area of about 31,200 hectares with generating capacity of 600mega watts while Jebba dam has a total of 35,000 hectares of surface area, plus the ongoing Zungeru dam that is expected to generate about 700mega watts when completed. It is pathetic that despite having all these dams located in the state, we still have little or no power supply in some areas.

A few weeks ago, some management staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) were interviewed on FUT Minna Campus Radio (Search FM), they promised that power supply was going to be restored in the affected areas but as usual, their promises were not kept.

They explained that the power generated from Niger State is sent to the national pool and then redistributed by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to the several parts of the country. But then, why can’t the state be given priority?

Paul A. Mamman, Minna, Niger State mammanat nadu paul @ yahoo.com