Jigawa Initiates N1.34 Billion Rural Electrification Projects

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Jigawa state government has initiated a new rural electrification projects to the tune of N1.34 billion across eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.

The projects which are being executed under the supervision of the Rural Electrification Board (REB), include rehabilitation, procurement, extension, maintenance and completion of electrification projects in 11 villages.

Addressing the bid opening for the Q 4 2025 tender, the Managing Director of the REB, Sani Zubairu, an engineer said the projects was in line with the administration’s commitment to electrifying the whole state as a way of among others curbing the rural urban migration, in addition to providing the youths with the opportunity of improving their means of livelihoods.

Altogether 33 companies participated in the bidding process with three companies participating in each lots far and above the two companies per lots as provided for by the procurement law.

According to Zubairu, the project is a big one because of the huge financial involvement, noting that when completed, they’re going to bring hope to the affected communities, especially those without the supply of electricity for upward of 10-15 years.

“But with the coming of this administration under Malam Umar Namadi, the government it’s willingness to ensure that those communities are supplied with the electricity.

“Therefore, we’ll not stop on those communities but will also also ensure that we cover all the nooks and crannies of the state in such a way that we will transform every villages into semi-urban areas to avoid rural urban drift and create jobs for our rural youths.”

The bidding process was supervised by the Ministry of Power and Energy Permanent Secretary, representing the commissioner Dr. Nura Musa, officials from the Procurement and Due Process Office, Representatives of the contracting firms, the civil society organizations and the media