Kogi lawmaker, Baiwa appeals for extension of Geregu transmission line to Kogi East

Member House Committee on Power, representing Dekina/Bassa in the House of Representatives, Rt Honourable Hassan Abdullahi Baiwa has asked the Niger Delta Power Holding Company NDPHC, to consider the proximity and host status of Geregu power plant in Ajaokuta, to extend its transmission line across the river Niger to Kogi east.

Baiwa made this assertion when the House Committee on power met with the stake holders on power during the committee session in the House of Representatives.

Baiwa’s position was as a fallout of series of meetings between the Minister of state Power, and Managing Director, NDPHC.

He expressed worry that despite the presence of Geregu power plant, generating power to other parts of the country, it is pathetic that 70% of the people of Kogi east had been in total darkness for years.

“In my area where I represented, Dekina/Bassa, you cannot find three major towns with steady electricty power supply for many years.

“Our only source of power in the last 30 years is from somewhere in the east, that is now epileptic and discourage proliferation of commercial activities.

“This prompted me to go round my Senatorial district,attract my colleagues from two other Federal constituencies, to seek for alternative power supply with Rural Electrification Agency REA team, for solar power supply.

He says the transmission line when installed, will improve the socio-economic activities of the area that will engage all segments of the Society.

In his contributions, Chairman House Committee on Power described the situation as critical and pathetic, stating the committee’s readiness to redress the situation.

Stakeholders from Kogi east have expressed worries over the poor power supply in the area, as the Late Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Idakwo Ameh Oboni II, raised similar issue during his recent visit to the Chairman Senate Committee on Power before his transition, calling for the resucitation of the abandoned power plant in Anyigba in Kogi east.

The Eastern flank of the state has been battling with epileptic power supply both from the East, and other parts of the country in the last three decades.