In order to restore power to the eight local government areas in the Sokoto East Senatorial Zone that have been without it for nearly ten years, the federal government has started an evaluation tour of those areas.
Leading the Federal Ministry of Power’s Distribution Director, Mustafa Baba Umarah, the delegation from the Federal Government announced on Sunday that the assessment team would thoroughly examine the nature of the issues causing the blackout in the impacted communities and report back to the Federal Government so that appropriate action could be taken.
“The Federal Government is committed towards ensuring that all Nigerians enjoy electricity supply irrespective of where they live,” he said.
Sanusi Dan Fulani, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Energy, outlined the evaluation process and explained that its goal was to gather firsthand information about the scope and nature of the issue that caused the state’s eight local government districts to completely go dark.
According to him, “the plan to restore electricity supply to the affected communities is also part of the efforts by the Gov. Ahmed Aliyu-led administration to boost economic activities, especially among the rural dwellers.
“Electricity supply is the bedrock of development of every society without which the society may not have a viable economy,” Dan Fulani noted further.
“Our governor has been worried over the total blackout in the eastern zone of the state, especially being the area the food basket of the state.
“That was why he mandated my ministry to write to the Federal Government seeking for its intervention in the restoration of electricity supply to these eight local governments of the State,” he added
The Commissioner also stated that the project will cost between N4 billion and N5 billion, and in order to assure its success, he asked the beneficiary communities for their help.
Dan Fulani stated that the state government planned to provide motorized boreholes to rural villages in order to improve agricultural practices and increase food security in the state.
“We are trying to use the energy sector to reduce poverty and create job opportunities among our people,” he said.
Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, Rabah, Gada, Illela, and Gwadabawa are the eight local government areas that will be reconnected to the national grid.
“These local government areas have been without electricity for close to a decade now, but with the current effort being put in place by the state and Federal Government, the story will soon be a thing of the past.” The Commissioner added.
