Close to Shiroro, but in total darkness

When the Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Station was taken over by the North South Power (NSP) Limited, inhabitants of the host communities were optimistic that they would enjoy constant electricity. There was also hope that there would be social and economic benefits and improvement of social amenities, but unfortunately, their hopes and aspirations are yet to […]

When the Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Station was taken over by the North South Power (NSP) Limited, inhabitants of the host communities were optimistic that they would enjoy constant electricity. There was also hope that there would be social and economic benefits and improvement of social amenities, but unfortunately, their hopes and aspirations are yet to be realised as the firm is yet to meet most of these expectations.
Daily Trust investigations revealed that communities that are close  to the hydro electric power station like Shakwana, Ziwhi, Giri Kpamkpam, Lambu, Asha and Kana among others, are yet to be connected to the national grid. The inhabitants depend on the use of torch lights and  lanterns as their source of energy in the night. Only few individuals in the villages that could afford generators have light in their houses.
Daily Trust gathered that most of the inhabitants of the communities’ have concluded that they might never see electricity in their villages during their life time.
The community leader of Shakwana  village, Malam Ummaru Wakili who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, said that they have spent a good part of  their lives without electricity.
“Since my parents gave birth to me in this village, I have never seen electricity here. In the night we use lanterns or torch lights.  It is the same thing if you go to other villages. We are suffering. We are close  to the Shiroro Hydro Electric power plant, but we are not connected to the national grid,” he said
According to him, all  efforts to draw the attention of the officials of Shiroro Power Station, the State Government and the Local Government proved abortive.
He repeated that they were in total darkness despite that fact that they were living close  to the national power generation Plant.
“We are close to Shiroro Hydro Electric Power Plant, the company which  generates power to the nation, but we are living in total darkness.”
A resident of Zhiwi, Mr Yakubu Galadima said that they had been traumatized owing to lack of electricity in their villages.
“Lack of electricity has affected our daily lives. We are the host communities, but we are abandoned.”
He alleged that the company and politicians have been promising that they would provide electricity to the host communities, but nothing has been done.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their aid, in ensuring that all the affected communities are connected to the national grid.
Another resident of Kpamkpam, Mrs Hadiza Muhammadu, accused politicians in the area of  disappointing their electorate on the provision of electricity.
“Our politicians have disappointed us. They are yet to fulfil their promises. They can’t force this company to provide electricity. Can you imagine that we are living near Shiroro, but we don’t have electricity,” she said
When contacted on the matter, the Chief Operating Officer of North South Power Company Limited, Engineer Daudu Abdul-Aziz said that rural electrification was the responsibility of the government.
According to him, the responsibility of their company was to generate power and transfer  it to distribution companies.
“Rural electrification is the problem of Federal and state governments. It is the state government that carries  out and embarks on rural electrification, and connects them to the national grid. Our responsibility is to transfer power to the distribution companies.”
He assured that the power station would do its best to live up to its corporate social responsibility to the host communities.
He disclosed that the company had executed various projects to the betterment of the host communities, explaining that the projects included commissioning of boreholes, human capacity development programmes, and sponsorship of WAEC and NECO candidates.
He said that the company employed staff from the host communities to benefit from the company.

Executive Vice Chairman of North South Power Company Limited, Engineer Olubunmi Peters disclosed recently that the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station has increased its power output by 150 megawatts.
The reduction of Shiroro hydro plant power output from 600 megawatts to 450 megawatts, was due to the structural failure of water intake of one of the four turbine generator units, which has since been repaired.
Peters said that with the rise of water, the power plant can generate 800 megawatts, which will further boost the power supply in the country.
“The damage to Unit 4 occurred about 60 meters under zero visibility water. It was difficult to assess and repair. This raised concerns about further catastrophic failure. That factor  cast a shadow on the viability of  unit 4  which resulted in the reduction of Shiroro Hydro Plant power output from 600 megawatts to 450 mega watts.”
Speaking to newsmen in Shiroro at the completion of repair works on Unit 4 Water Intake, the Vice Chairman said the Unit has been down since 2010, adding that the damage became more visible when the Unit was not  serviced.

He added that about 8.5 million dollars was expended to bring the Unit back to functioning capacity, adding that  the unit is functioning well.
Appreciating the regulators and participants within the power industry for their patience with the station despite their shortcomings, Peters assured that the power plant would live up to its power generating capacity, and Nigerians would have no cause to complain about power supply again.
Also speaking, a member representing Suleja, Gurara and Tafa federal constituencies, Lado Suleja disclosed that about 30 communities in Suleja, Gurara and Tafa federal constituencies will soon be connected to the national grid.
“Arrangements have been concluded to electrify about 30 communities, as 24 transformers will soon be delivered,” he said
According to him, the gesture was part of his representation to the people, and an oversight function towards ensuring that what is meant for his constituency is channeled to them at the right time.
He then urged the people to have patience with the present administration ,as things will get better with time.
Also speaking, Senator David Umaru who represents Niger East, said that he provided transformers to many villages under his senatorial constituency.
He said the bill aimed at amending the act establishing the Hydro Electricity Power Producing Area Development Commission, HYPPADEC has passed the first reading.
He added that the commission is to get N70 million for its full take off, in  this fiscal year.

According to the senator, a bill for an act to amend the HYPPADEC was part  of the five bills, four motions, and three petitions  that he had initiated and introduced in the past one year in the senate.
Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has assured individual and corporate bodies intending to invest in the state and the host communities ,of equity and fairness.
He noted that the state cannot afford to miss the investment opportunities availed it by the investors, adding that the benefits accruable to the host  communities, the state and the investors are immense.
Hence he advised host communities of these investments to maintain cordial relationships  with the investors and government.
Gov. Sani Bello frowned at the high level of youth restiveness in Sunti Village, describing their action as ill adviced, and warned that if such conflicts are left unchecked, they may lead to possible relocation of the company, with attendant  huge losses.
The governor then admonished investors to equally be mindful of their social responsibility to the host communities, while he assured them of governments resolve to provide adequate security and a conducive economic environment for their investment to thrive.