By Salisu Baso
The Kano State House of Assembly has described the current power blackout in the northern part of the country as economic sabotage to the region. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Jubril Ismail Falgore, announced the House’s decision in a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, calling on the state government to join hands with the National Assembly members representing the affected areas to rescue the situation.
The House further stated that the total blackout in the region has crippled the economic activities of the communities around the area, especially in states like Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa. Presenting the motion before the floor of the House, the Leader of the House, Hon. Lawan Hussain, representing Dala Constituency, said the region has been experiencing a total blackout for about two weeks without any concern from the federal government or authorities related to the power failure.
He cited examples from the southern parts of the country that would not tolerate such an unfortunate condition without government intervention. Therefore, he called on the Kano State government to collaborate with members of the National Assembly to rescue their electorates. Hon. Hussaini Dala also mentioned that the majority of the rice mills, industries, small and medium-scale businesses, as well as local businesses using electricity, have been closed down, while companies have been disengaging workers.
Seconding the motion, the member representing Doguwa, Hon. Salisu Ibrahim, expressed dismay over the unfortunate situation and further stated that this is a collective responsibility to address the critical condition of their people. He said that, according to information, the northwestern states benefit from their electricity supply through two lines, Shiroro and Kainji. One has been vandalized by bandits, while the other is faulty and can be repaired within a short time if the government is serious.
Hon. Doguwa, therefore, urged the people to withdraw political sentiment and join hands to look for the best possible way of restoring power to the entire region, adding that this situation affects not only Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina but almost all the states within the region. He then appealed to media houses within the area to give all the necessary encouragement to achieve the goals.
