Plateau Unveils 70 Transformers, Begins 132KVA Line Push for Wider Power Access

Plateau State has unveiled 70 electricity transformers for distribution across communities, with Governor Caleb Mutfwang saying the move is aimed at widening access and improving supply in underserved areas.

The governor spoke in Jos on Wednesday during the flag-off ceremony and said the rollout forms part of a broader effort to improve daily power availability for homes, small businesses and public services. He also announced that mobilisation has been concluded for the installation of a 132KVA transmission line designed to serve the Southern and Central Senatorial Zones.

Mutfwang said the state originally approved 55 transformers but later added 15 more to respond to rising demand, bringing the total to 70. He said electricity access should be treated as a basic entitlement, not an optional service, and linked stable supply to enterprise growth, job opportunities and better living conditions.

"Access to electricity is not a privilege; it is a right," the governor said.

He said talks with the Jos Electricity Distribution Company had been concluded to restore supply in Miango and Rukuba communities that have faced prolonged outages. According to him, the country’s generation volume is not the main issue in many cases, while transmission and distribution gaps remain the key barriers to getting power to end users. He said transformers are essential for moving energy safely and effectively from the grid to households and businesses.

On the transmission project, Mutfwang said the contractor for the 132KVA line covering Central and Southern Plateau had been fully mobilised financially and would move to site soon to begin execution. He added that the state wants to expand its energy base by backing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) and increasing investment in solar and other renewable sources.

"Our ambition is that within the next two years, Plateau State will become a net seller of energy," he said.

Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi, said the distribution exercise fits into the government’s rural electrification plan. He urged beneficiary communities to protect the equipment from vandalism and said the installations should improve voltage stability and reduce disruptions across residential, commercial and industrial use. He added that stronger energy infrastructure will also support water supply schemes and other critical services.

Da Gufwar Ishaku Audu, speaking for beneficiary communities, commended the intervention and said steadier electricity would improve livelihoods and support economic activity at the grassroots. Representatives of JEDC and NESCO also praised the state’s approach. The event drew government officials, traditional leaders, stakeholders and community beneficiaries.