The Federal Government has initiated a thorough assessment tour of the eight local government areas within the Sokoto East Senatorial Zone, enduring a decade-long absence of electricity. The objective is to reinstate power supply to these communities.
Led by Mustafa Baba Umarah, Director of Distribution at the Federal Ministry of Power, the delegation aims to meticulously examine the underlying issues causing the prolonged blackout. They intend to provide comprehensive feedback to the Federal Government for prompt action.
“The Federal Government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring all Nigerians have access to electricity, regardless of location,” stated Umarah.
Sanusi Dan Fulani, Sokoto State Commissioner for Energy, emphasized the necessity of firsthand insight into the challenges precipitating the blackout. He underlined the restoration plan as part of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s strategy to stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural areas.
“Electricity is indispensable for societal development and economic viability,” Dan Fulani remarked, echoing the governor’s concerns over the blackout’s impact on the state’s agricultural hub.
Acknowledging the significant financial requirement, estimated between N4 billion and N5 billion, Dan Fulani appealed for community support to ensure project success.
Moreover, the state government plans to introduce motorized boreholes to rural communities to bolster agricultural productivity and food sufficiency, aiming to leverage the energy sector for poverty reduction and job creation.
The eight local government areas earmarked for reconnection to the national grid include Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, Rabah, Gada, Illela, and Gwadabawa.
Dan Fulani expressed optimism, stating, “With the concerted efforts of the state and Federal Government, the prolonged blackout in these areas will soon become a distant memory.”
