Delta, Katsina boost power supply
From Sunny Ogefere, (Asaba) and Olawale Tunde, Katsina
AS part of measures to boost electricity in its rural and urban areas, Delta State has procured 500 units of distribution transformers.
Also, Katsina State government has reiterated its commitment to the provision of electricity to villages to curb rural-urban migration.
Delta State Governor James Ibori disclosed at the commissioning of Transformer Re-enforcement Sub-stations at Amai and Obinomba in Ukwuani Council Area of the state that the 500 transformers were ready to be installed and injected into the various networks of the national grid.
The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the state Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Mr. Edewor Omonemu, said that 150 of the transformers had been procured, installed and put to use.
He said the administration believed that electricity was one of the fundamentals for promoting small and medium enterprises, as well as creating vibrant informal sector both in the rural and urban areas.
According to him, the administration has in the past five years, pursued vigorously the improvement of power supply to the rural communities by providing additional transformer re-forcement sub-stations, even though the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) has since taken over electricity network.
"It is noteworthy to mention that NEPA does not reimburse the state government for its financial and material contributions in the electricity sector and furthermore, no resources accrues to the state government on its investment on electricity," he added.
The governor enjoined the people to protect all electricity networks within their areas, as the government would not replace vandalised or stolen materials.
He said: "Be vigilant. Pay your NEPA bills promptly and avoid illegal connections as this can cause economic losses due to fire outbreaks or loss of live.s.
Responding on behalf of the communities, the Chairman of Ukwuani Council, Mr. Sunday O. Odigiri, praised the state government for boosting electricity in the state.
Katsina State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Aminchi, re-affirmed the government's commitment to improve on power supply during the commissioning of the Damari Electrification Project.
Aminchi said the Damari project was among 21 electrification projects the administration awarded this year at the cost of N425 million.
The deputy governor, who said all the projects had been completed, urged the benefiting communities to protect them from vandalism and theft.
He pledged the government's commitment towards the execution of people-oriented projects.
The state Commissioner for Rural, Social Development, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports, Mr. Muttaga Rabe Darma, appealed to the community to guard the project against vandals.
He assured the people of the government's resolve to provide essential amenities that would assist them greatly in their socio-economic activities.
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