Yobe completes 21 electricity projects, plans 20 more
From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu
T WENTY-ONE rural electrification projects have been completed in Yobe State, Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim has said.
The governor, who disclosed this at the weekend while commissioning the Gaba Tasha electrification project, added that 20 additional projects would soon be awarded to contractors.
The electrification of 21 towns and villages under the Yobe State government's rural electrification programme is a deliberate step to accelerate development in the state, the governor said.
Ibrahim made the declaration at the weekend while commissioning the Gaba Tasha electrification project.
He said that of the 36 states, Yobe was the least connected to the national grid.
This notwithstanding, he said his administration was committed to the provision of electricity to all towns and villages which populations are up to 5,000.
He said that the provision of electricity has become inevitable in halting rural-urban migration to achieve what he described as "a contiguous development process" in the state.
Consequently, he disclosed that 21 electrification projects have been completed and are awaiting commissioning, adding that one of such projects is located at Gaba Tasha.
The project, according to him, cost the state government N14.5 million with 5.2 kilometres of town distribution network and a 300 KVA transformer.
He listed the towns where projects are awaiting commissioning as Garin Idi Barde, Yerimaram, Yindiski/Arikime, Jawa, Azam Kura and Paga.
Others completed with Gaba Tasha are Garin Abba, Degubi, Wagir, Afunori, Falimaram and Kaliyari.
The governor said though the rural electrification programme was to halt the migration of people to the urban centres, it would also encourage the establishment of cottage industries and other economic activities.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, Commissioner for Energy and Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, said the state's rural electrification board has completed 68 diesel-powered stations in the state.
Another electrification project completed, he added, was the Potiskum-Geidam 200-kilometre ITC project.
The project, according to him, is serving two local council headquarters at Dapchi and Jumbam, including Geidam 180 kilometres north of Damaturu, the state capital.
He assured the people that when the project is commissioned, it would serve no fewer than 30 towns and communities in the state.
He, therefore, urged the people to prevent any form of vandalising of NEPA facilities and pay their bills regularly.
