Review Law On Power Generation, Distribution – Ganduje Urges FG

The Federal government has been advised to look into the possibility of amending the law that limits states to the generation of power only without distributing it to consumers in their respective states.

The governor, who gave the advice while receiving a delegation from Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, NIAF, led by Dr. Mark Tomlinson in his office, explained that so doing would step up revenue generation and industrial growth in the states.

He said the state government is currently executing two Independent power projects at Challawa and Tiga dams, while it has smaller dams across the state which can also generate some power, but which the state government cannot sell or distribute locally because of the legal hindrance.

According to him, Kano also needs private sector participation in the generation and distribution of power so as to revive industries in the state, curtail the influx of smuggled goods and create job opportunities for the teeming youths.

“We have challenges in respect of infrastructure, we want to make Kano a mega city where things work”, said the governor, adding that it is because of this that the government intends to review the old Kano city master plan.

Governor Ganduje noted that over the years, many settlements have sprung up within Kano city which means public utilities are overstretched and sanitation has become more difficult to manage.

He disclosed that a transportation policy has been drafted for the state and feasibility studies for a metro line in the state capital has also been completed, adding that the government is looking for private investors to facilitate the project.

In his speech, the Infrastructure Delivery and Finance Coordinator, NIAF, Dr. Mark Tomlinson said the DFID funded programme is now focusing on how to help states in Northern Nigeria regarding power delivery, to propel industrial development, especially exploiting the potentials of solar and wind energy.

He said the agency is also geared towards assisting the governments to revisit how they put their annual budgets together in such a way that wasteful spending are curbed, adding that it would also support the states in solid waste management, in conjunction with the private sector.

Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, fnge, mni
Director General, Media and Communications,
to the Executive Governor of Kano state,