The Northern Senators Forum has urged the Federal Government to take swift action to restore electricity in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, where residents have been experiencing prolonged power outages.
During a press briefing in Katsina on Saturday, the Forum’s Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, highlighted the urgent need for intervention to ease the hardships faced by people across these affected areas.
He said, “The prolonged outages, primarily attributed to vandalism and national grid disturbances, have caused significant economic strain. Small businesses struggle to survive, hospitals face mounting operational costs, and residents bear the burden of expensive fuel as an alternative energy source.
“The ongoing outages have brought economic hardship, compromised healthcare delivery, and imposed expensive fuel costs on citizens. Small businesses are struggling to operate, hospitals are facing increased running costs, and livelihoods are being severely impacted.”
In response, the Northern Senators Forum has outlined targeted requests for government intervention to stabilize and improve the power supply in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states.
Their proposals include an expedited repair of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines to reestablish a stable power supply and increased security measures to deter further vandalism of key infrastructure. Additionally, the forum emphasized the importance of sustainable energy solutions, urging government support for renewable energy and mini-grid projects proposed by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
Acknowledging recent advancements in power distribution under the current administration, Yar’adua noted that despite these efforts, the situation remains dire.
“The situation demands urgent attention to alleviate the suffering of constituents and revitalize economic activities,” he said.
The forum stated its commitment to advocating for policies and measures that prioritize the welfare of northern communities, underscoring the immediate need for federal action to support economic stability and quality of life in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states.
