The Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has urged citizens of the State to ensure regular and timely settlement of their electricity bills, warning that the current status of the state as the number one state with the most reliable and stable power supply in the Country may soon elude the state if the citizens continue to default in payment of electricity bills.
The Governor made the charge today in Birnin Kebbi during a stakeholders consultation on electricity and other related issues.
He also refuted the story trending on social media platforms that the State Government is paying one hundred and fifty four million naira monthly to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to defray the cost of electricity consumed by citizens of the state, describing the story as “untrue and malicious.”
He stated that the State Government has paid all outstanding electricity bills owned by the State Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s) inherited from previous administrations and called on “the citizens to be alive to their responsibilities if the current 24 hours power supply being enjoyed in the state is to be sustained”.
He also disclosed that some investors have expressed their willingness to establish companies and other manufacturing outfits in Kebbi State due to the high power reliability being experienced in the State.
In his contribution, the Emir of Argungu and Vice Chairman of the Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera advocated the involvement of Districts and Wardheads in collection of electricity bills in other to ensure that every electricity user pays his due every month.
In his response, the Business Development and Regional Officer, Kebbi Region, Engr. Saidu Dogara who stood in for the Managing Director/CEO, Engineer Garba Haruna stated that the Company suffers five to seven hundred million naira revenue shortfall in Kebbi State every month.
He disclosed that the Company has the capacity to deliver power 24/7 in Kebbi State provided the people are willing to pay for the energy supplied.
According to him, “No business will survive with such huge revenue deficit, hence the decision of the Company to channel the available energy to customers who are willing and prepared to pay for it”.