Nigeria Content Online

Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Kano reiterated his
pledge that power supply in the country will be stabilised by October
2011. He made the pledge after his visit to the Emir of Kano, Ado
Bayero, was interrupted by a power outage.

Mr Jonathan, who was on a one-day working visit to
Kano, said he was embarrassed when electricity in the Emir’s palace
went off as soon as he entered.

“As we stepped into this palace, I think what
happened is another way of telling me that I’m still up with a serious
business because immediately I stepped in, the light went off and I
remember that your royal highness wrote to me complaining about
epileptic supply of electricity in Kano,” he said.

“Today, the good news could begin. I’m here because
of two very important projects that are dear to us. One has to do with
power sub-station that we are commissioning and another is the Aminu
KanoTeaching Hospital projects, we are have upgraded some facilities
there that are ready to be commissioned for our use.

“What happened here today, by the grace of God, will
not happen again by this time next year. I am not saying that we will
satisfy all our power needs, but at least this epileptic power failure
will not continue. We will be able to stabilize it to a reasonable
level.” Mr Jonathan cautioned that his promise should not be
misunderstood for the generation of a particular number of megawatts or
that the power problem will be completely over next year.

“We are not making promises that by this time, we are
going to generate this or that. But all what we are telling his royal
highness is that we are gradually moving up forward. We are not going
backward again. We are stabilising it and by this time next year, we
will be a little bit more stable than what we are observing now and if
the government continues in that direction for another five years,
Nigerians will begin to talk to about another thing, because we are
totally committed to the power sector,” he said.

Bayero is expectant

Mr Bayero said he was happy to welcome the president
and that he was glad to hear that Mr Jonathan received the letter of
complaint on unstable supply of electricity that he sent to him.

“We are glad to receive you in Kano for the
commissioning of these health and power projects,” he said. “Steady
power supply is crucial for our economic development and prosperity. We
are glad to hear that Mr President received our formal complaint about
the power problem in Kano. We have been lodging complains to all the
previous government about this. We hope and pray that the government
will pay attention to this as promised by Mr President. This problem is
affecting us because Kano is the center of commerce.” Mr Bayero tasked
Mr Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, tackle the insecurity problem
in the country, stressing that security of the people is important.

“We are equally drawing the attention of the
President on the issue of insecurity that requires urgent attention to
ensure peaceful coexistence and development in the country. It is a
known fact that peace is the most important thing the people need,
without peace nothing will work,” he said.

The president, while in Kano, commissioned the health
facilities in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the Reinforcement
Kumbotso 330/132/33KV transmission sub-station.