FG, please do something about power supply in Niger

Nigerians are aware that there is a national problem with the generation and distribution of power, as it is too low to go round the country simultaneously, which is why the load shedding (rationing) formula was adopted. But the persistent blackout in some areas in Minna, the Niger State capital is totally unacceptable. Niger State […]

Nigerians are aware that there is a national problem with the generation and distribution of power, as it is too low to go round the country simultaneously, which is why the load shedding (rationing) formula was adopted. But the persistent blackout in some areas in Minna, the Niger State capital is totally unacceptable. Niger State is home to three hydro-electric dams designed to generate over 1500megawatts. 
The Kainji dam has a surface area of about 130,000 hectares with generating capacity of 750mega watts. The Shiroro dam has a surface area of about 31,200 hectares with generating capacity of 600megawatts, while Jebba dam has a total of 35,000 hectares of surface area, plus the ongoing Zungeru dam that is expected to generate about 700megawatts when completed.
It is pathetic that despite all these dams in the state, we still have little or no power supply in some areas. A few weeks ago, some management staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) were interviewed on FUT Minna Campus Radio (Search FM) and they promised that power supply would be restored in the affected areas, but the promise was not kept.
They explained that the power generated from Niger State is sent to the national pool and then redistributed by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to several parts of the country. But why can’t the state be given priority? It is just like taking your food to someone else to dictate to you how to eat it. We understand that the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have affected the distribution of gas supply as they are bombing petroleum products pipelines.
But the power generating dams we have in Niger State have little or nothing to do with gas supply, so why have we been subjected to this untold hardship? 
Businesses are folding up because of the high cost of petrol. Another issue is that of metering. For example, when a consumer’s meter develops fault, his house is automatically placed on estimation billing, thereby, forcing him to pay outrageous amounts as bill. When eventually the faulty meter is fixed, the reconnection to meter billing is not automatic, as he is required to pay the sum of N5000 or more after filling the CRMD form that enables him to be reconnected back to the meter.
Please, I urge the relevant authourities to look into this matter and proffer solutions.
Atnadu Paul Mamman wrote from Minna, Niger State and can be reached at; [email protected]