By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, April 16, 2026 (Series News Online) - Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has directed the immediate constitution of a multi-stakeholder committee to engage the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, over persistent power outages across the state.
The governor gave the directive on Tuesday during a town hall meeting at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi. The meeting brought together KEDCO officials, government functionaries, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, and trade associations.
Governor Idris described the deteriorating electricity supply as unacceptable and harmful to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Continued decline in power supply is unacceptable and harmful to the socio-economic development of the state,” he said. “The government will no longer tolerate a situation where residents and businesses suffer persistent outages without clear and actionable solutions. Decisive action must be taken to resolve the crisis once and for all.”
He said the committee would include representatives from government, the Kebbi Development Forum, KDF, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, civil society groups, youth representatives, elders, political parties, district heads, and KEDCO officials.
He added that the State House of Assembly, commissioners, and local government council chairmen would also nominate representatives. “Special advisers, including that of Student Affairs, will also be included to ensure that all segments of society are captured,” the governor stated.
According to Idris, the committee will assess all issues affecting electricity supply and recommend practical, sustainable solutions to guarantee improved service delivery.
The governor disclosed that the state government had suspended the monthly payment of N150 million previously provided as support to KEDCO. He cited dissatisfaction with the quality of service and rising complaints from residents.
He, however, reaffirmed the government’s willingness to support any viable arrangement that guarantees stable supply. “Payments could be resumed or even increased if there are measurable improvements,” he said.
Idris said the state is exploring alternative power solutions to reduce dependence on the national grid. “We must diversify energy sources beyond reliance on the national grid,” he stated.
In his presentation, KEDCO Managing Director Umar Abubakar Hashidu outlined challenges confronting electricity distribution, including inadequate national power generation, gas supply constraints, and limited allocation to the company.
He said Kaduna Electric receives only about 5.6 per cent of total electricity generated nationwide. “That is an average of 150 to 180 megawatts to serve Kebbi and neighbouring states. This figure is grossly insufficient,” Hashidu said.
He also cited financial constraints, noting that the company buys electricity at higher rates than it is permitted to sell due to tariff regulations. “This results in a significant subsidy gap and accumulating debt,” he explained.
Hashidu listed low revenue collection, resistance to metering, energy theft, and vandalism as additional factors undermining the company’s capacity to deliver improved services.
KEDCO Chairman Aminu Abubakar Suleiman called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector. “Sustainable electricity supply requires significant investment, partnership, and mutual understanding,” he said.
He acknowledged residents’ frustrations but stressed that improved supply would benefit both consumers and the company. “We urge patience and cooperation from all stakeholders,” Suleiman added.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida said the meeting was convened to identify the root causes of the power challenges and collectively chart a way forward.
Stakeholders, including civil society organisations, the NLC, and trade associations such as welders, furniture makers, and pure water producers, raised concerns over poor service delivery.
They highlighted inadequate infrastructure, lack of maintenance, estimated billing, workforce challenges, and the burden on communities to fund repairs of transformers and other facilities.
Participants called for greater transparency, improved accountability, and the establishment of regulatory mechanisms to protect consumers and ensure compliance with service agreements.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment by all parties to work through the new committee to restore stable and reliable electricity supply to Kebbi State.
Tags
Committee