Fashola Vows To Use Tough Approach To Overcome Lingering Power Outage

Babatunde-FasholaAs Nigerians come to terms with the fact that the days of prolonged darkness are far from over, the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has vowed to use what he called “tough approach” to overcome the problem of power outage in the country.
Fashola made the vow in Kano while launching the mass meter deployment of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
According to him, Nigeria would soon address the problems of power outage.
“We are in tough situation in the power sector, but we will soon see the end of it because we are also tough people. We must work hard to end the problems associated with electricity”, he said.
The minister, however, called on the electricity companies to patronise locally made meters.
“I have visited a meter manufacturing company in Lagos recently and the types of meters that I saw there were the same meters our electricity distribution companies are importing. So business wise, it would be good for the country if we can patronise our local goods”, he said.
Mr. Fashola explained that going by the current fluctuation of foreign exchange, patronizing made in Nigeria products will help to boost the economy.
On the benefit of the mass meter deployment, which will cost KEDCO N500million, the Power Minister said the commitment shown by the company would pave the way for other Discos to follow suit.
He noted that while the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company indicated its plan for mass meter deployment, KEDCO has gone a step further by matching words with action.
Earlier, the Managing Director of KEDCO, Alhaji Jamilu Gwamna, said the company ordered for 100,000 pieces of pre-paid meters for onward distribution to customers in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
Gwamna explained that so far the comapny has recieved 63,000 meters, while the remaining 37,000 would be ready before end of 2016.
“Our plan is to make KEDCO the best valuable electricity company in Nigeria by 2030. We want deliver best services to our customers”, he said.