Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved that Aso Rock becomes an eligible customer so it can get direct electricity supply from Shiroro hydropower Generation Company (GenCo) within six months.

A statement by Mr Hakeem Bello, spokesman for Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said approvals were obtained after Fashola presented memos at the meetings.

Eligible Customer Regulation issued by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in 2017, permits electricity consumer to buy power directly from Generation Companies (GenCos).

Aso Rock Villa, official residence of the President will benefit from this as FEC, last Wednesday, approved inclusion of the Villa in the Distribution Expansion Programme (DEP) meant to off-take part of stranded 2,000 megawatts (MW) to provide a dedicated power.

The Ministry obtained approval from Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for DEP to commence civil works at the Villa for power installations that will guarantee uninterrupted power supply to the Villa.

The statement said within the next six months, the contractor, Dextron Engineering Limited under DEP, will complete the project.

Government has arranged with North-South Power Company, operator of Shiroro hydropower GenCo to supply dedicated power to the Villa while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), a sister company will ensure the project’s success.

Daily Trust