Poor Electricity Supply: Niger Cautions Youths, Others against Illegal Protests

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Following a series of protests by some youths in different parts of Niger State over poor power supply, the state government thursday cautioned the youths and other organisations in the state against embarking on “ unnecessary and illegal protests and demonstrations,” threatening that the security agencies would not hesitate to apprehend both the sponsors of the protests and the protesters.

Last Monday, youths carrying placards with different inscriptions, embarked on demonstration in Minna, the state capital, calling on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to improve its services in the state.

The protesters blocked the highways, thereby obstructing vehicular movements.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danjuma Salau, stated that the state government would no longer condone any act of lawlessness on the part of the protesters in the name of registering their grievances.

“Though we are in a democratic society where the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of the citizen should be respected, we should always do everything according to the democratic principles and the law” the commissioner said.

He reminded the youths and other non- governmental organisations that power generation and distribution in the country had been privatized, adding that any problem pertaining to electricity should be channeled to AEDC.

“The provision of transformers, prepaid meters and billings are the responsibility of AEDC; anyone with grievances should channel such grievances to the AEDC” he said

“As a responsible and responsive government the administration will continue to implement policies and programmes that will ameliorate the sufferings of the people,” he added.