Photo credit:,The Scientific world.
By Dada Ahmed with agency report.
Until recently, prescisely from July 2022,post office area located in the heart of Lokoja, Kogi state used to be the headquarter of noise pollution and emission emanating from assorted generators with attendant hazard to public health.
The generators,used by small scale business operators, such as business centres, barbing saloons among others, provide alternative source of energy to run businesses due to the phenomenal epileptic public power supply in the country dating back to years.
However,a return visit to the same place in recent time gave a different picture of a highly reduced noised environment and a place where thinking of emission noise pollution,in pratical terms, is fast becoming a mirage in people’s psyche.
This is made possible by the recent improvement in the energy supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC,a development described by many electricity consumers as “impossibility made possible”.
Many electricity consumers in Lokoja and its environs say they could not believe that there could be an almost 24-hour light in the area until they started experiencing the cheering development about two months after years of agitation for such positive development.
In a separate interview in Lokoja with the News Agency of Nigeria,NAN, the largest news agency in African,some electricity consumers also described the recent wake up in the operation of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC operation, manifesting in great leap in energy supply, as the most treasured gift of 2022 to them.
To others, seeing their electrical gadgets and appliances working without being powered but generator but public power running for almost 24 hours as “apt” and “commendable,
Mr Gabriel Adewale, a secondary school teacher believed that AEDC had got it right this time around in the supply of power to residents of Kogi State caught in the cobweb of power outage in the country.
“In fact, the way and manner we are enjoying light nowadays is unbelievable,considering our experience in terms of epileptic power supply over the years.
“This dramatic but realistic change, though not up to a month in Kogi state now but we hope AEDC will keep the tempo for businesses to thrive, improve our economy and living standard of the people, ” Adewale said.
Baring his mind on the issue, Pastor Akubo Kizito of Redeemed Christian church of God (RCCG), Dominion Zone, Lokoja said “this feat being displayed by AEDC is a welcome development and good omen to the state.
“l believe the people of Kogi state are ready to pay for the light in as much as the supply will be steady, considering its enormous benefits.
“The welders, shoe makers and operators of grinding machine will now be making some the desired mony to take care of their families in this hard time.
“I am very convinced that the economy of many homes and communities, as well as that of Kogi state will be transformed, ” Kizito said.
The cleric finds ally in Hajia Maimuna Jimoh, a restaurant operator,who confirmed that her business had received boost by the recent improvement in public power supply in Lokoja especially.
“I hope the electricity company will maintain this feat because we need light more during heat to help us cool our drinks and the atmosphere for our customers, ” Jimoh said.
Responding, the AEDC Public Relations Officer, Kogi Regional office, Lokoja, Mrs Ifeoma Arudi, expressed the commitment of the company to give the customers the best of service.
She, however, expressed concern over the lukewarm attitude by some customers to reciprocate the improved service by AEDC through prompt payment of their bill.
“Unfortunate, even with the improvement in power supply, some customers are still not willing to pay their bills as expected.
“What we need is their (Consumers’) cooperation in paying their bills which will go along way in helping us to keep the tempo going.
“When electricity consumers don’t pay for what they consume, it will be difficult for us to serve them better more so that we pay for the energy we supply to the public as a private liability company, ” she explained.
Commenting on the development, the Regional Manager,AEDC,in Kogi State,Engr. Lameed Obadaki, said improvement in the energy supply to customers came about as a result of his management taking delibrate decision to repair the equipment to boost the supply.
He commended the state government for ensuring prompt payment of its electricity bill, adding that the act had motivated customers to follow suit.
“If the state government can buy into the idea of prompt payment of its electricity bill, then, what reason will individual customer give for not emulating such good example”.
He promised energy consumers in the state that as long as they pay their bill as and when due, they can be rest assured that AEDC would provide efficient and effective service to them.
He stressed the need for the prompt payment of electricity bill, adding that apart ensuring constant energy supply, it would also boost the fight against crime and criminality in the state.
Engr. Obadaki argued that criminals usually find it difficult where constant electricity is the order of the day,most especially in the night.
He, however, stressed that the improvement would have to come with increased bill to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to the public.
Keen observers of the increased energy supply in the state ally with the Regional Manager, AEDC in that efficient service by AEDC will depend largely on prompt response of electricity consumers in paying bills to sustain and enhance the current improved energy supply to kogites.
They also urged the company against reneging on its promise of using prompt payment of bills as the basis for continuation of Improved service to customers.
The two-way process,they hope, will boost the social and economic development of the state and its residents.
Dada Ahmed is a publisher and a member,Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).