Northern Blackout: Stakeholders Meet In Kano To Proffer Solutions 

The  Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in collaboration with the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (apbn) Kano state chapter,has organised stakeholders to  discussed on energy and economic crisis in Northern Nigeria, especially the thrending power outage facing the region

It will be recalled that the power blackout experienced in Northern part of Nigeria has continued to generate concerns from stakeholders with a position to finding a lasting solutions.

However,the Executive Director, CITAD, Yunusa Ya’u said, the essence of the gathering to cross fertilize ideas on the Northern Blackout and find solutions.

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He then emphasised that” It’s  important to move away from the usual discussion and collectively see to the problem, challenges and possible solutions and offer prospects on how to implement them to avoid future occurrence.”

While , the Chief Technical Officer, Kano Distribution Company (KEDCO), Kasim Abdullahi Burkullu highlighted that the system upon which the transmission lines are being operated wasn’t a sustainable form and there is a need for a review.

, “the grid was supposed to be a ring system not radial, so, when we had a problem from one of the lines, we jumped on the other but vandals destroyed two of the towers. he said

According to him,” definitely
whenever you have a radial system you always have this kind of problem.”

“The prospect of investment in northern Nigeria is gigantic, we need a redirection and reverse the attitude of only the government can do anything to us there are a lot of prospects to reduce this kind of situation we are in.

“The issue of vandalism is quite systemic and has eaten the fabrics of other sectors. What is happening is an eye opener and a wake up call to see how we can come out of this situation.”

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However,the former Commissioner for Information in Adamawa and

Senior Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Ahmad Sajoh,then stated

, on how to resolve the challenges, said, the issue cannot be unconnected to lack of unified leadership and political will to move the region forward.

“Strengthening the national grid is the best option for now. The radial method has always been known to be the weakest form of transmission. There is a need for a better system.

“Those of us in the far north – northeast, our power generation map is not there and it’s dangerous. If not looked into, we will continue to suffer.

Our leaders are not even thinking of cleaner energy options. I believe they are working to restore it but that’s the only thing they can do as of now.”

While,former National President of Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAM) Ahmad Muhammad Sarari revealed that, the power blackout has resulted in the loss of billions already in the entertainment industry alone beside other sectors.

He said more than 5000 studios in Northern Nigeria where productions are taking place have been grounded due to the blackout making producers lose billions of Naira.

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Contributing via webinar to the discussions, Engr Musa Muhammad also lamented that lack of good leadership is the root cause of the whole matter.

“It is a lack of good leadership that is keeping the north where it is. All that we have talked about, akk gas pipeline project, how many of us are following up on that?

Where is the project now. If that is finished we can build power plants in Kano, Kaduna”.