Bauchi Deputy Speaker expresses concern on overburdened transformers and frequent power outages in Bauchi Communities.

Member Representing Bauchi Central Constituency and the deputy speaker of the Bauchi State assembly Jamilu Umaru Dahiru has presented a motion on the need to address the challenges of overburdened transformers and frequent power outages in Bauchi Communities.

Presenting his motion during plenary, Jamilu Umaru Dahiru said the persistent and worsening problem of frequent power outages in various communities arose largely from the overburdening of transformers.

He maintained that most of the transformers currently in use were installed many years ago when the population density of communities was far less than what is obtainable today.

Jamilu Dahiru further said with rapid urban expansion, increased housing estates and the growth of economic activities, the carrying capacity of the available transformers have been grossly exceeded.

The Deputy Speaker appealed to the House to call on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and it’s successor companies to appear before the relevant Committee to explain their level of contribution, capacity and obligations as privatised entities towards addressing the problem of overburdened transformers and frequent power shortages.

He also advised the House do mandate its Committee on Energy to explore the jurisdiction and constitutional leverage of the State Assembly in liaising with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and distribution companies to come up with feasible and enforceable modalities for mitigating transformers overload.

Jamilu Dahiru further the State Government, in collaboration with Local Government Councils, to work with traditional rulers who are the custodians and heads of various communities, to carrcarryoutractical urgecensus of electricity requirements, to serve as a basis for determining areas that urgently require additional transformers to forestall unforeseen negative consequences of prolonged power outages.

He pointed out that, the House would ensure that adequate provision is made in subsequent budget to support interventions on electricity distribution infrastructure where possible, in collaboration with federal agencies, companies and donor programs.

In thier contributions, The Speaker of the House Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, member Representing Bogoro Constituency Musa Wakili Nakwada and Member Representing Lame Constituency Bala Abdu Rishi noted that the issue of electricity is all over and called on the need to resolve the reoccurring problem of overburdened and power outages.

They expressed dismay as consumers often spearhead the repair of transformers whenever there are faults, noting that such should be the work of authority concerned not people as they regularly pay at when due.

They opined that striving for electricity to stay is like striving for security as it help in halting crimes, nothing that people usually pay for the services and are not enjoying adequate supply especially during the rainy season.