General News
SOME residents of Sakwaya community in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa have decried erratic power supply in the area.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday, said the situation had exposed them to unbearable conditions.
Mr Ranau Mati, a farmer, said that members of the community had been experiencing blackouts for many years, which affected their social and economic wellbeing.
He said there was no electricity in the village compared to neighbouring communities who enjoyed appreciable power supply.
“Sakwaya is a farming community, our activities end once it gets dark, no electricity, no solar streetlights, and moving around at night is risky.
“Those who own grinding machines and electrical appliances operate them only on generators, which are expensive to fuel.
“For us, electricity remains a luxury rather than a basic necessity, as we continue to languish in darkness in spite of advances in infrastructure across the state,” he said.
Mati noted that many youths in the area had migrated to urban areas in search of better opportunities due to the lack of electricity and basic amenities.
Mrs Larai Danjuma, a mother of five, said the situation was negatively impacting children’s education development.
She said that pupils struggled to study after sunset because their families could not afford kerosene or rechargeable lamps.
“Our children often read with lanterns, sometimes it goes off because there is no fuel.
“They are at a disadvantage during examinations compared to children in towns, who have electricity to study at night,” she said.
Danjuma added that women in the community faced difficulties in processing grains for cooking due to lack of electricity.
She said that mothers travel to adjoining villages to grind grains and vegetables to enable them to cook meals for their households.
“We spend extra time and money taking our grains to other places for processing, and a steady power supply will make life easier,” she said.
Mr Basiru Damina, a trader, said the absence of electricity was discouraging business growth in the area.
He said that he usually goes to neighbouring communities to charge his mobile phone or access services that require electricity.
“With electricity more businesses would spring up here. People could operate welding workshops, tailoring shops and other enterprises.
“Many young people left the village because there were few opportunities,” he said.
On her part, Haule Audu, said the situation had affected healthcare delivery in the area, adding that the health facility relied on a power generator for its operations.
“Pregnant women sometimes come to the clinic at night, and health workers have to use lanterns or phone flashlights during emergencies.
“Electricity will improve healthcare services and make life easier for everyone,” she said.
She called for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities to address the situation and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the community. (NAN)
W.U
June 27, 2026
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