Nigeria has restored power supply to Niger Republic for the first time in seven months. This comes a few days after the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the lifting of sanctions on Niger in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
During its 24th session, ECOWAS said it was lifting the sanctions to ameliorate the suffering of the Nigerien people.
Regarding sanctions against Niger, the regional bloc authority “decides to lift with immediate effect the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger: Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger; Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger; Freeze of all service transaction including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic; Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks; Freeze of assets of the Niger State, State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks; Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD; Travel ban on government officials and their family members.”
Authorities in Nigeria had blocked power supply to its neighbouring country, following sections imposed by the ECOWAS; after the military coup in July 2023 deposed the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum.
Seven out of the eight states in Niger rely on electricity supply from Nigeria under a long-standing trade agreement between the two countries.
For the first time in seven months, electricity supply was sustained throughout Wednesday night in the seven states.
Authorities have announced the restoration of power after a reconnection at the transmission station in Nigeria’s Kebbi state.
Elated residents welcomed the development, especially as the Ramadan fast approaches.
SaharaReporters
