The Bauchi State House of Assembly has called on the state government to commence a comprehensive rehabilitation of all vandalised electricity equipment at various communities in the state to restore electricity supply in the affected areas.
The assembly made the call during its plenary at the Bauchi State House of Assembly presided over by the deputy speaker, Hon Jamilu Umaru Dahiru following a motion presented at by a member representing Lere/Bula constituency, Mr Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu (APC).
Mu’azu explained that some communities have long suffered in darkness as a result of vandalisation and theft of installed electric equipment at various locations.
He pointed out that the development was causing so much hardship to his constituents and their means of livelihood. The communities include Bununu, Gital, Burga, Dull, Maigemu, Boto, Maijuju-Tasha, Gabgyel, Gwashe and Kardam towns in Tafawa Balewa local government area.
The lawmaker said most micro businesses undertaken by people in these communities were running below installed capacity and, in most cases, incurring losses “because they cannot compete in local markets due to high cost of production as a result of running businesses using diesel or premium motor spirit (PMS).
“The resultant effects of prolonged unavailability of power supply in these areas may push most of our youths out of their means of livelihood, which would have negative impacts on safety of lives and properties of the people of the entire local government area and beyond;
“We are also worried that the continued lack of power in these communities has drastically affected the tourism and hospitality of our local government which would have earned us abundant revenue and as well, sell us to the world.”
Hon Muazu called the assemby to request the executive arm of government to commence a comprehensive repair and rehabilitation of the vandalised electric equipment in the communities.
He added that the State Ministry of Rural Development and Special Duties collaborates with the Ministry of Mines and Power to ensure inclusion of the projects in the 2024 Bauchi State Budget and urged the House Committees on Rural Development, Mines and Power to liaise to ensure compliance.
The member representing Burra Constituency, Hon Ibrahim Burra (PDP) stressed the importance attached to rehabilitation of rural electricity and called for quick action.
In a similar development, the assembly also called on the state government and other relevant agencies as a matter of urgency to repair or reconstruct the damaged culverts in some parts of the state to avert flooding.
A motion on the matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Madara/Chinade constituency, Hon (Dr) Nasiru Ahmed Ala, said in the last two weeks, there has been a serious case of devastating heavy downpour with shocking outcomes across the state.
He said that his constituency was equally affected by the disaster where floods generated landslides and eventual destruction of a major culvert that links Gangai with larger parts of the constituency.
