Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu to explore areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the Borno State government.
According to Governor Zulum, his administration had spent over N500 million in the purchase of transformers for different communities in the state, saying his visit was to explore more opportunities for working together with the Ministry of Power.
The Minister who expressed appreciation for the visit reiterated his call for collaboration between the State and the Federal Government especially in the provision of power infrastructure.
He noted that Governor Zulum’s action has further confirmed the importance of a collaboration between the State and the Federal Government in the provision of regular electricity supply to businesses and households in the country.
Adelabu further revealed that the Federal Government is embarking on significant expansion projects on the transmission network to increase electricity supply to load Centres adding, “These grid projects will strengthen the transmission network and create alternative transmission corridors to avoid grid collapse.”
Commending the governor, the Minister said the provision of regular electricity in the country could be further strengthened with collaboration between State and the Ministry of Power.
The Minister also expressed the view that the Electricity act of 2023 has made provision for Sub Nationals (States) to participate in the electricity market, and he looks forward to creating an enabling environment for state’s participation in the electricity market.
His words, “By investing in transformers and electricity poles which is about grid extension, the Governor has further confirmed our approach that the State needs to be involved in the provision of power infrastructure. We have further indicated to distribution companies that end-users must not be required to purchase equipment for the delivery of electricity. This infrastructure must be provided by the distribution companies while there will be interventions from Federal and State governments. Agencies such as the Rural Electrification Agency will also intervene in electrifying communities that are not commercially viable for the distribution companies.”
He urged Governor Zulum to look at the provision of security to protect power infrastructure in the State. He particularly referred to the destruction of power towers recently in the North East zone which led to the death of a security personnel and disruption of electricity to some States in the zones.
“Although we immediately commenced the repair, it is quite discouraging when the government spends so much and these assets are vandalized”, he added.
