The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, called on the Federal Ministry of Power to mediate between Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) and Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) with a view to ensuring restoration of electricity supply to Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Ahmed Munir, who expressed concern over non-supply of electricity to Lere Federal Constituency, with a population of over 500,000 inhabitants.
While frowning at the impact of the non-supply of electricity on the socio-economic activities in the Constituency, Hon Munir solicited for the House intervention with a view to resolving the lingering crisis.
“The House also notes that the people of Lere Federal Constituency are one of the largest producers of maize, rice and sugarcane in West Africa, hence attracting traders from Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Cameroon, with secondary markets further extending into North, Central and East Africa.
“The House is aware that Lere Federal Constituency, which is under the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company franchise used to enjoy its electricity supply from Jos Electricity Distribution Company.
“The House is also aware that the lack of electricity is a result of a faulty energy meter which has led to a discrepancy in the actual amount that the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) is expected to remit to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), and until the situation is resolved, the people of Lere will continue to be in perpetual darkness.
“The House is concerned that the lack of electricity supply is frustrating economic activities in the area and discouraging establishment of new businesses, thus causing the people untold hardship resulting in youth unemployment, a development that is fueling insecurity in the Constituency and beyond.
“The House is worried that the lack of electricity supply in the area has given rise to high infant and maternal mortality as hospitals are unable to sustain the use of generating sets due to the high cost of fuel and diesel to power them, thus midwives are forced to use torch lights to assist expectant mothers during delivery.
“The House is cognizant that the situation is compromising the hygiene and sanitation of facilities in hospitals, thus leaving patients at risk of contracting other diseases.”
In the bid to ensure a stable supply of electricity to the affected areas, the House mandated its Committee on Power to include the Design, Supply, and Construction of a 130km length 132kV transmission line with a 2 x 60 MVA substation in Lere Federal Constituency in the 2022 Appropriation bill.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Also at the plenary, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Transportation and its agencies to enforce safety regulations in all Waterways in Nigeria, with a view to halting the death of Nigerians using water transportation.
The resolution was during the debate on the motion sponsored by Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim who expressed concern over the death of over 400 citizens via boat accidents that occurred between 2020 and 2021.
“The House notes that water is a means of transportation in Nigeria, but in recent years the Nigerian waterways have become dangerous with reports of over 300 fatalities in 2020 and over 100 deaths from May to September 2021.
“The House also notes that boat accidents in the Nigerian waterways are caused by overloading, lack of maintenance, overspeeding, careless driving and bad weather.
“The House recalls that on May 26, 2021, an overloaded boat carrying more than 160 passengers broke into two and sank in River Niger, leading to the death of 100 people and on 27 September 2021 another mishap occurred in Lagos with one person confirmed dead after a boat capsized.
“The House is disturbed that the incessant boat mishaps occurring within the country’s waterways are as a result of the violation of boating laws and regulations by operators who board an excessive number of passengers in their quest to boost income.
“The House is cognizant that boat accidents can be curtailed by public sensitisation campaigns, better enforcement of rules by regulatory agencies, constant checks on boats and removal of pollutants in the water,” he said.
To this end, the House mandated its Committees of Inland Waterways and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
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