Kogi State Government has kicked out Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) with the establishment of Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to assume a regulatory oversight in the electricity sector.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the government of Ahmed Usman Ododo has taken advantage of the amended Electricity Act 2023 to take full control of the state’s power sector, thereby reducing reliance on the regulatory and distribution framework of the old order in Nigeria.
It was learnt that as part of the reform, the state government has also established its own power distribution company, Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited (KEDL), a subsidiary company of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to oversee electricity distribution across the state.
With this development, Kogi State joins the rank of progressive states like Lagos, Enugu, Niger, Kano and others that have taken charge of their electricity generation and distribution.
The establishment of KEDL means that residents and businesses will no longer depend solely on electricity distribution networks outside the state.
A statement from the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on media, Ismailia Isa said that for years, unstable electricity has been a major hindrance to economic growth, forcing businesses to operate at a loss and leaving many communities without access to power.
It said that small-scale enterprises, including welders, frozen food vendors, and tailors, have been forced to rely on costly fuel-powered generators, severely cutting into their profits.
“Even scrap dealers, who contribute significantly to the recycling industry, have to transport materials as far as Kano for proper processing due to the lack of adequate power facilities in Kogi. “Governor Ododo understands these struggles as a player in the sector for many years, and through KERC, he is providing a solution that will empower businesses and create an environment for economic growth.
“Beyond improving power supply, this transition brings multiple economic benefits. “One of the most immediate advantages is job creation for youths. As Kogi expands its power infrastructure, thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created, from engineers and technicians to administrative personnel and field workers.”
