Sokoto Awards ₦5.5bn Contract to End 10-Year Power Blackout in Four LGAs
The Sokoto State Government has awarded a ₦5.5 billion contract for the rehabilitation of a 33kV electricity line and restoration of township electricity distribution networks in Binji, Tangaza, Gudu and Silame Local Government Areas, which have been without electricity for a decade.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting.
Achida said the intervention was aimed at addressing the prolonged electricity blackout in the four local government areas and improving the living conditions of residents.
According to him, the project, upon completion, is expected to enhance electricity supply, stimulate economic activities and improve livelihoods across the affected communities.
He said Governor Ahmed Aliyu was deeply concerned about the decade-long blackout and had decided to intervene through the contract award to restore electricity to the affected areas.
The Commissioner also announced the award of a ₦988.9 million contract for the rehabilitation of Government Technical College, Binji.
Achida explained that the institution’s deteriorating infrastructure had adversely affected teaching and learning, resulting in the gradual loss of its capacity to provide vocational training.
He said the rehabilitation would restore the school’s facilities and strengthen its capacity to deliver technical and vocational education.
The Commissioner stressed that vocational training remained critical to job creation, unemployment reduction and accelerated economic development.
