- Kogi State has granted NERC permission to manage its electricity generation and distribution, aiming to improve energy access and reliability.
- The state government has invested over nine billion naira in food security, resulting in Nigeria’s lowest food inflation rate.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted Kogi State permission to manage its electricity generation and distribution, a significant development for the state’s energy sector. Engineer Abdulmutalib Muhammed, the Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, announced in Lokoja on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. He briefed the press immediately after the State Executive Council meeting, where the new directive was discussed.
Engineer Muhammed explained that allowing the state to oversee its electricity infrastructure is a significant step towards improving the energy supply in Kogi. The move is expected to enhance the state’s ability to manage energy needs and ensure more reliable and affordable electricity for residents and businesses.
Additionally, the State Executive Council has instructed that the State Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp be electrified within one week, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for displaced citizens.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, also spoke at the briefing, commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his leadership and proactive approach to governance. Fanwo highlighted the importance of an aggressive investment strategy to boost the state’s economy and create job opportunities for the youth.
He emphasised that the state government remains firmly committed to ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens, with a focus on improving living standards and providing essential services.
Further underscoring the government’s developmental efforts, Timothy Ojona, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, shared an update on the state’s progress in food security. Ojona revealed that Kogi State has invested over nine billion naira in food security initiatives, helping the state achieve the lowest food inflation rate in the country.
This achievement, he noted, is a direct result of Governor Ododo’s wet season farming initiative, which has seen an investment of more than seven billion naira in farm inputs. The initiative also included the deployment of over 100 tractors across 7,324 hectares of farmland, further boosting agricultural productivity.
Governor Ododo’s leadership in these areas is seen as a comprehensive effort to foster sustainable development, improve economic growth, and ensure that Kogi State remains at the forefront of progress in Nigeria. The state government is optimistic that these initiatives will address immediate challenges and create a foundation for long-term prosperity and self-sufficiency in critical sectors such as energy and agriculture.
The announcement regarding electricity management and investments in agriculture and food security reflects the state’s commitment to transforming Kogi into a more prosperous and self-reliant region.