The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the state government to take urgent steps to restore public electricity supply to Ankpa Local Government Area, which has been without power for over a year.
Speaking during plenary in Lokoja on Friday, lawmaker representing Ankpa I Constituency, Hon. Lawal Akus, described the prolonged blackout as a major developmental setback with severe consequences for healthcare, education, commerce, and public safety in the area.
“Ankpa has been in total blackout for more than a year. This persistent crisis has brought immense hardship to residents and inflicted crippling losses on small businesses, healthcare centres, and public institutions, ” Akus told the Assembly.
He explained that Ankpa, one of the largest and most economically active LGAs in Kogi East, was previously served by a 33kV line from Otukpo in Benue State. However, the supply collapsed due to overload on the line, which also serves Omala and Olamaboro LGAs.
According to Akus, a more viable alternative route from Ajaokuta via Anyigba was proposed, with temporary interventions carried out in 2022 and 2023 in partnership with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
“Despite those efforts, the electricity supply remained unstable and eventually failed again., “It is disheartening that Ankpa, regarded as the commercial hub of Kogi East, remains in darkness while residents continue to endure worsening economic conditions, ” he said.
The lawmaker urged the state’s Ministry of Rural Development to collaborate with AEDC to replace damaged electricity poles, install cross arms, and provide transformers and armoured cables in key locations.
He also called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to intervene with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, to expedite the completion of the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, in Ankpa, which includes two 7.5MVA injection substations.
The motion received strong support from several lawmakers, including Hon. Alewo Ujah Anthony (Olamaboro), who requested that his constituency also be included in the intervention plan.
Other members who spoke in favour included Hon. Sunday Dakku (Bassa), Hon. Bode Ogunmola (Ogori Magongo), Hon. Idris Aliyu (Kogi/Koton-Karfe), Hon. Umar Yahaya (Omala), Hon. Shehu Tijani (Lokoja I), Hon. Jibrin Abu (Ajaokuta), and Hon. Seyi Bello.
Abu, in his contribution, questioned how medical facilities were expected to store essential vaccines and medicines without electricity, describing the situation as one of “untold hardship.”
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu, expressed concern over the long-running crisis and called for swift government action. The House unanimously adopted the motion and directed the Clerk to forward its resolutions to the executive arm and other relevant agencies for immediate action.
