Niger state government has taken bold steps to end epileptic electricity supply to customers in the state by openning its doors to a Chinese investor in the sector, ‘Hunan Hengke Group’.
This is part of efforts by the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago led administration to end years of monopoly by the Abuja Eletricity Distribution Company (AEDC) which has left customers at the mercy of the company with its endless excuses for inability to meet electricity needs of Nigerlites.
The Chairman, Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engineer Mohammed Sharu disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Chinese Hunan Hengke Group in his office.
Sharu who expressed regrets about the difficulties customers face tolerating endless excuses from the AEDC reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to issue licenses to interested investors in the Power sector to meet growing demands in the state.
He told the Chinese investor that Niger state where Nigeria’s four hydroelectric dams; Shiroro, Kainji, Jebba and Zungeru is domiciled, with highest land mass has no reason to suffer unstable electricity supply to its citizens.
With the licensing of more investors in the power sector, Sharu said he is optimistic that sufferings of residents due to inadequate power supply will come to an end to justify the establishment of the Commission by the Governor.
Also, Niger state is blessed with varieties of both human and natural/mineral resources which are part of potentials for the development of different businesses to also improve on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the overall growth and development of the state.
Also in their respective remarks, the Commissioners of licensing and enforcement, Dr. Ameer Shakur and Engineer M. S. Bello of the Commission urged the investors to avail themselves with derivable economic benefits from the abundant mineral resources as well as lots of water bodies, abundant solar and wind to invest in renewable energy to generate power.
Technical Assistant to the Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Mahmud Keni Ndadama on his part informed the investors that Niger state has about 450MW installed capacity but hardly gets up to 63 megawatts which is less than 14% of its need.
Responding, the Leader of the Hunan Hengke Group, Mr. Harvey Chen assured of his company’s preparedness to invest in Niger state given the huge economic potentials and resources that abound in the state.
While stressing his company’s readiness to ensure robust communication with the Regulatory Commission, Mr. Chen said he will invest in the state economy through Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) and any other means deemed convenient to the Government while also requesting that work should commence on the off takers.
The Chinese power sector investor, ‘Hunan Hengke Group’, was introduced to the Commission by their Nigerian Partners, Brain and Hammers.
