Governor Umaru Bago of Niger has directed the provision of new electricity transformers and the repair of faulty ones across communities in Chanchaga Local Government Area to improve power supply and residents’ living conditions.

In compliance with the directive, the chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Mustapha Alheri-Jibrin, presented a brand-new transformer to residents of the Deeper Life area in Barkin Sale community in Minna.

The chairman also donated N1 million to residents of the Saftech Hotel axis of Barkin Sale to facilitate the immediate repair of their faulty transformer.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Jibrin said the interventions were in response to the governor’s directive to address electricity challenges affecting communities within Chanchaga Local Government Area.

He said Mr Bago was concerned about the impact of prolonged power outages on households and businesses, adding that the state government remained committed to addressing critical infrastructure deficits at the grassroots level.

Mr Jibrin stressed that the interventions were not politically motivated, noting that the governor had consistently supported communities with electricity infrastructure even before becoming governor.

According to him, Mr Bago had been providing transformers to communities since his days as a member of the House of Representatives, adding that the current administration was sustaining the initiative to improve residents’ welfare.

He recalled that the council, following the governor’s directive, had also intervened in the Ikangbe community about a month ago, providing N1.5 million for the repair of a faulty transformer following complaints by residents.

He said some of the affected communities required between N500,000 and N700,000 for transformer repairs, adding that the assessment of the facilities would commence on Nov. 16.

Mr Jibrin explained that a committee comprising council officials, directors and councillors had been constituted to identify genuine electricity challenges and ensure that interventions reached communities in need.

He also recalled that the council had supported the Gbaganu community with funds to resolve internal electricity connection problems after its transformer was repaired by the electricity distribution company.

On other development initiatives, the chairman said the council had empowered more than 1,500 women with N20,000 each to support petty trading, while some young women received sewing machines.

He added that funds had been released for the renovation of health facilities across several wards, while monthly financial support was being provided to clinics to assist indigent patients.

Mr Jibrin assured residents that the government would sustain the interventions in collaboration with community leaders and relevant committees.

He commended the governor for his support, adding that ward development projects were also being monitored to ensure effective implementation.

Earlier, Mohammed Kuso, an elder statesman in the Barkin Sale community, expressed gratitude to the governor for the intervention and commended the chairman for promptly executing the directive.

Similarly, Danladi Nasir, chairman of the Barkin Sale Electricity Committee, assured the council that the N1 million donation would be judiciously utilised to restore electricity to the Saftech Hotel axis without delay. 

(NAN)