Gusau: The Zamfara Government has settled a debt of N1 billion owed to the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KEDCO). The government has also expanded the mandates of the newly established Zamfara Electrification Agency (ZEA) to include improving power supply to unserved and underserved communities in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the pioneer Executive Secretary of ZEA, Muzammil Idris, disclosed in an interview in Gusau that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has freed the state from the debt, which had been an obstacle to the development of government activities for the betterment of the state economy. Idris highlighted that the lack of energy in the state had affected key sectors such as Health, Education, Security, and Agriculture, which are considered integral parts of economic development in any society.
He further mentioned that a 10-year working plan and implementation strategy has already been drafted by the agency. “The immediate plan on my table from the main draft is to ensure restoration of energy across the 14 local government areas of the state,” Idris stated. He also expressed his commitment to ensuring that places not currently on the national grid will be connected within three months.
Idris shared that he had a meeting with the Chairman of the Kaduna Electricity Governing Board, where they explored possible measures to restore power supply across the state. This meeting led to the formation of a committee for the assessment and implementation of the planned electrification project for the benefiting communities.
Upon completion of the project, the agency will ensure the implementation of the national metering policy to help improve both electrification services and revenue generation by KEDCO.