By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Malam Yahya Sarki, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kebbi State on Media and Publicity, has condemned the state’s electricity distribution company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), for hoarding power supply during Ramadan, despite the Kebbi State government’s substantial efforts to enhance electricity access.
Sarki stressed that stable electricity is critical for socio-economic development, supporting various vocational trades, businesses, and domestic needs, including cooling devices essential to counter the extreme heat. He highlighted that the absence of a reliable power supply negatively impacts small and medium enterprises (SMEs), such as welding and ice block production.
Governor Nasir Idris’ administration has made significant strides in the power sector, having procured 40 new transformers and accessories worth ₦520 million, alongside paying KAEDCO ₦150 million monthly to support electricity delivery. Despite these interventions, power supply in Kebbi has remained erratic, especially during the crucial fasting period of Ramadan.
Sarki accused KAEDCO of failing to meet its obligations, citing the company’s continued power outages and its claims that residents are not paying their electricity bills. He referred to an independent survey conducted by ‘Concerned Citizens, Nasarawa II, Birnin Kebbi,’ which found that residents were indeed paying their bills, contradicting KAEDCO’s claims. The survey results raised questions about the validity of KAEDCO’s justifications for poor service.
The Special Adviser called out KAEDCO for its lack of transparency and failure to address public concerns regarding the electricity crisis, stressing that the Kebbi State government has fulfilled its obligations. He emphasized that it was now time for KAEDCO to take responsibility and deliver the stable electricity supply that the people of Kebbi State deserve.
“The facts are clear: the state government has done everything within its power to improve electricity in Kebbi, and now, it is KAEDCO’s turn to step up and meet its commitments,” Sarki said.
