The persistent epileptic power supply being experienced by residents of Nasarawa State will soon be a thing of the past, as the state government has finalized discussions to engage a private South Africa company to ensure stable electricity within and around the state.
The South Africa-based company, General Electric which specializes in generating electricity using coal, is expected to reverse the dark days experienced by the people of the state to a modern city, where the night would not be differentiated from the day time.
The development, according to the state government is expected to encourage the speedy growth of small-scale businesses, entrepreneurial skills and boost other commercial activities to effectively thrive in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule who disclosed this while flagging off the construction of a 2km solar-powered streetlights in Obi reiterated that his administration had concluded an arrangement with the private electricity company, General Electric, towards generating 1000 megawatts from coal reserves in Obi Local Government Area.
The governor who expressed worry that most communities, including the state capital, are living in total darkness, said the need to diversify sources of electricity, away from over-dependence from the national grid is necessary.
He further disclosed that General Electric would be relocating four of its turbines in South Africa to Obi, where the company will start the generation of the 1000 megawatts of electricity that will power the entire state.
Sule maintained that the power generation project would not just provide services to the people of Obi but it will also create a coal mine that will generate employment as well as economic activities.
“I am happy that I’m here today to actually start this project, but my happiest day in Obi will come when I bring General Electric to come and use the coal deposits in Obi, with the four turbines that they are going to relocate from South Africa to Obi, so that they can start generating the 1000megawatts that will power the entire state”, Sule said.
