Kebbi sets up committee to engage KEDCO over power outage

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has directed the immediate constitution of a multi-stakeholder committee to engage the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company over persistent power outages affecting the state.

Idris gave the directive during a town hall meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, where residents, labour leaders, civil society groups, and business owners expressed concerns over the deteriorating electricity supply.

“We will no longer tolerate a situation where our people and businesses suffer in darkness without clear, actionable solutions,” the governor said.

“The decline in electricity supply is unacceptable and detrimental to our socio-economic development,” he added.

According to him, the committee will comprise representatives from the state government, the Kebbi Development Forum, the Nigeria Labour Congress, civil society organisations, youth and traditional institutions, as well as KEDCO.

He added that lawmakers, commissioners, and local government chairmen would nominate representatives to the committee.

The governor also disclosed that the state government had suspended its monthly N150 million support to KEDCO due to poor service delivery.

“We are willing to support any workable solution, but such support must be tied to measurable improvements. If performance improves, payments can resume and may even be increased,” he said.

Idris further revealed that the state was exploring alternative power sources to reduce its dependence on the national grid.

Responding, the Managing Director of KEDCO, Umar Hashidu, attributed the crisis to systemic challenges beyond the company’s control.

“We receive only about 5.6 per cent of the total electricity generated nationwide—roughly 150 to 180 megawatts—to serve multiple states, which is grossly insufficient,” he said.

Hashidu also highlighted financial constraints, noting that the company purchases electricity at rates higher than the tariffs allowed for distribution.

He listed other challenges to include low revenue collection, resistance to metering, energy theft, and vandalism.

Also speaking, KEDCO Chairman, Aminu Suleiman, called for greater collaboration among stakeholders.

“Sustainable electricity supply requires significant investment and strong partnerships. While we understand the frustrations, improvement will require collective effort and patience,” he said.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Tafida, said the meeting was convened to identify the root causes of the crisis and develop practical solutions.

Representatives of labour unions, artisans, and small-scale business owners decried estimated billing, poor infrastructure, and the burden of funding repairs.

The meeting ended with a commitment from stakeholders to work through the newly constituted committee to improve electricity supply in the state.