By Umar Abdullahi Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government says it has committed to the provision of electricity supply as a prerequisite for socio-economic and agricultural growth and development.
The State Commissioner of Energy and Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani disclosed this in Sokoto while briefing newsmen shortly after his return from feasibility studies at Goronyo Dam on Friday.
He said he visited the Goronyo Dam project to see how best the government can collaborate with foreign energy companies to source 5 megawatts of hydropower from the Dam to complement the state-owned Independent Power Project (IPP) which according to him will soon be put to use.
“Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu has approved N 2 billion to complete the 35 mwts IPP initiated by the administration of Senator Aliyu Magatakardan Wamakko (Sarkin Yamma).
“The Governor has similarly approved N3 billion for the Solar Energy Project in the state metropolis which according to him has since been started.
He said the Goronyo hydro project is capable of providing 25 mwts but the government decided to use only 5 mw to allow the agricultural sector to flourish in the state.
“If completed, the 5 nights would be used to provide energy to Goronyo, Isa, Sabon biryani, Rabah, Wurno, Gada, Illela and Gwadabawa local government areas.
“The vision of the Governor is to surmount all electricity supply challenges with the aim to attract investors and give Sokoto state aggressive transformation that will engender economic development.
“You can only achieve that with uninterrupted power supply, So the governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu has committed a whopping N5 billion to provide electricity for the welfare of the Sokoto people and socio-economic and agricultural development.”
