Yobe Govt Electrifies 25 Villages, Extends Power To Over 200 Communities

The Yobe State Government has electrified 25 rural villages and extended electricity supply to more than 200 communities across the state as part of its commitment to expanding access to power and driving socio-economic development.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali, stated this while addressing journalists on the performance of the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni at his office in Damaturu.

Wali stated that the electrification drive also involved the rehabilitation and strengthening of several 33KVA power lines linking major towns and rural communities.

He said, “These include the Damaturu-Potiskum, Potiskum-Gashua, Gashua-Yunusari, Damaturu-Babbangida-Bayamari, Bayamari-Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari, Potiskum-Kukar Gadu and Maiduwa-Gadaka lines.

The SSG said the government had also ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply to all General Hospitals in the state to improve healthcare delivery, adding that generator sets were provided to some government establishments to complement electricity supply.

He further disclosed that, in line with the administration’s renewable energy policy, double-arm and single-arm integrated solar streetlights were procured and installed in six major towns of Damaturu, Buni-Yadi, Geidam, Gashua, Nguru and Potiskum, while a 33KVA power line was constructed from Bukarti to Kanamma to enhance electricity distribution.

On transportation, Wali said the Buni administration was able to completed and commissioned the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport to facilitate the movement of livestock and agricultural produce within and outside the country.

Wali added that 20 new buses were also procured for the Yobe State Transport Corporation (Yobe Line) to boost inter- and intra-city transportation, while over 100 vehicles were also acquired and sold to residents at subsidised rates to encourage local commuting.

The SSG noted that the interventions in the power and transport sectors were part of deliberate policies by the Buni administration to improve living standards, support economic activities and ensure balanced development across the state.

Speaking further on the administration’s housing intervention, Wali said that under the Mass Housing Policy, the Yobe State Government has constructed 2,350 housing units across the 17 local government areas of the state, with the estates fully provided with basic infrastructure and facilities.

He explained that the housing units, comprising two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, were offered to civil servants and other residents of the state on an owner-occupier basis, with beneficiaries enjoying a 50 per cent subsidy to make home ownership more affordable.

The SSG added that the state government also took over and fully paid for housing units earlier constructed by the Federal Ministry of Housing along the Maiduguri Road, noting that the houses would be allocated to eligible persons in the state in line with established guidelines.