The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has pledged closer collaboration with the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission (GOSERC) to improve power supply in the state.
Hosting the GOSERC management team, at the NISO Corporate Headquarters in Utako, Abuja, the NISO’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, congratulated the Commission’s members on their appointments while commending the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for setting up the regulatory body.
Mohammed described Gombe as a commercial hub in the North East with strong potential for partnership, saying the NISO was ready to work with the state regulator to develop frameworks that would boost electricity supply.
“We appreciate the Governor of Gombe State, who stood out as one of the best during my time as MD of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company. That he was the first in the entire North East to establish a State Electricity Regulatory Commission reflects the importance he places on electricity infrastructure,” he said.
He pointed to the state industrial park as evidence of growing demand for power, pledging NISO’s full support in developing a viable business model to help the state access more electricity.
Mohammed also urged GOSERC to see Sabana, the state licensed power distribution company, as a partner rather than a competitor, noting that stronger collaboration between the two would improve revenue generation for the state’s electricity market.
He added that Gombe’s coal reserves positioned it as a key stakeholder in the power sector and assured GOSERC of NISO’s readiness to provide on-the-job training in various areas of the electricity sector.
In his remarks, Chairman of GOSERC, Dr. Usman Arabi, said the visit was aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities to enhance electricity supply in the state.
“Gombe State is currently receiving 30MW, whereas, in essence, its energy requirements and required capacity would allow it to receive up to 200MW. The Governor has mandated us to work towards improving power supply in the state, which is why we are here to discuss and exchange ideas on how we can collaborate to achieve this objective. Already, approximately 30 mini-grids are being developed, but we still need to collaborate with NISO to ensure a smooth transition,” Arabi said.
Also speaking, NISO’s Executive Director, Market Operations, Engr. Dr. Edmond Eje, advised the state regulator to ensure that all licenced distribution companies operating in the state register with NISO as market participants, as they will be interfacing with the national grid.
On his part, the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Babajide Ibironke further assured GOSERC that NISO remains committed to maintaining an open-door policy. He stressed that although NISO functions as a quasi-regulator, it remains actively engaged in collaborating with subnational regulators to improve overall electricity supply across the country.
