By Josephine Ali
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), have reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger partnership aimed at promoting transparency, public enlightenment and sustainable investment in the state’s electricity sector.
The renewed commitment was made on Thursday in Lokoja when the leadership of the NUJ paid a familiarisation visit to the management of the Commission.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the NUJ, Kogi State Council, Comrade Ademu Haruna, described the visit as the beginning of a closer working relationship between the media and one of the state’s key regulatory institutions.
Related News
Haruna expressed appreciation to the management of KERC for the warm reception accorded the Union, noting that the NUJ remains committed to partnering with strategic public institutions in strengthening good governance and promoting public accountability.
He described the establishment of the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission as a landmark development that has the potential to transform electricity regulation, attract private investment and improve access to reliable power supply across the state.
According to him, electricity remains the backbone of economic growth and national development, playing a vital role in industrial expansion, job creation, healthcare delivery, education and improved living standards.
The NUJ Chairman stressed that the media has a constitutional responsibility not only to inform the public but also to educate citizens on government policies and reforms. He, therefore, urged public institutions to see journalists as development partners rather than mere observers.
Haruna expressed the hope that the visit would usher in a new era of collaboration, including regular interaction between the Commission and the media, improved access to information, specialised training for journalists on power sector reporting, and sustained public enlightenment on electricity regulations, consumer rights, safety measures and energy conservation.
He also emphasised the need for an electricity supply system that is both efficient and affordable, saying reliable service must be matched with reasonable tariffs for the benefit of consumers and service providers alike. He noted that achieving this balance is one of the critical responsibilities of the Commission.
Responding, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Engineer Ibrahim Sunday Abdulwaaris, commended the support and cooperation the Commission has received from the media since its establishment.
He assured the NUJ leadership of the Commission’s readiness to deepen its relationship with journalists, describing the media as an indispensable partner in driving reforms within the electricity sector.
Abdulwaaris disclosed that the Commission was already making arrangements to organise capacity-building programmes for practising journalists in the state as part of its broader media engagement strategy.
He explained that KERC is implementing its mandate in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023 and the Kogi State Electricity Law 2024 signed into law by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
According to him, the Commission has continued to engage directly with communities while using various media platforms and indigenous languages to educate residents on developments within the power sector.
“Our focus is to create an enabling environment for investment in electricity generation and distribution while ensuring that the people understand the reforms taking place. The media remains a critical partner in achieving these objectives,” he said.
The KERC Chairman also dismissed as false reports suggesting that the Kogi State Government had acquired the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
He clarified that the law only empowers the state to establish a regulatory body to supervise and regulate electricity generation, distribution and related activities within its jurisdiction.
“What belongs to Kogi State is the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Previously, one regulatory arrangement covered Kogi, Niger and Kwara States, but under the new legal framework, each state now has its own electricity regulatory commission,” he explained.
He assured the NUJ that the Commission would respond positively to the Union’s request for stronger collaboration in the overall interest of the state.
Both the NUJ and KERC agreed that effective communication remains essential to the success of ongoing reforms in the electricity sector, stressing that transparency, accountability and sustained public engagement are necessary to ensure that the benefits of the reforms are felt by the people of Kogi State.
