Gaidam ends 100 years of darkness in Yobe communities

One of the key factors responsible for youth migration from rural to urban areas is the absence of social amenities and infrastructure. In this report, MUSA BUBA narrates how the electrification of some communities in Yobe state has changed the lives of the people and boosted the local economy.

Kaliari, Lantewa and Koromari communities had existed over 100 years ago, since the days of former Kanem-Borno empire. Presently, the three communities are in Gazargamu emirate in Yobe state.

The habitants who live in desert, are mostly herders and farmers who had been living without electricity despite the several campaigning promises made by politicians and military administrations, to provide ‘’light’’ and other social amenities in the past. As it is expected, the populace is made up of a poor and uneducated folks who are cut away from modernity.

In addition, government seemed to have forgotten them Gaidam keeps promises Like others before him, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam had promised to provide basic amenities to the communities during his campaign to become governor of Yobe state. At that time, most of the people had said to themselves and each other, ‘’we have heard all these before.

’’ However, Gaidam went beyond promises as around June, the administration approved the sum of N309,434,970.00 for the provision of 33kv transmission line to link the communities. Significantly, the governor did this under tight financial constraints but, according to some offi cials who spoke to Blueprint Weekend, ‘’Gaidam likes to keep promises because this is what makes a leader.’’

Recently, another 33KV transmission line of 33km, linking Bayamari to Geidam, was also approved at the cost of N106,762,500.00 all in an effort to redeem the promises made. Blueprint Weekend learnt that the administration cut cost while executing these projects. According to the General Manager of Yobe State Rural Electrifi cation Board (REB), Engr. Umara Mustapha Goniri, “all the projects are being undertaken through direct labour and has reached 98% completion which will soon be ready for commissioning.

In fact, it was a directive by the governor that all REB stations in the state be linked to national grid”. Communities’ reactions Naturally, the people of these three communities are elated at the prospect of getting electricity. According to some government officials who do not want their names in print, the electrification project will boost the local economy of the area.

‘’Artisans will produce at minimum cost, residents will grind their corn and guinea corn fl our without stress and petty trading will be enhanced with the provision,’’ a source told Blueprint Weekend on telephone. Similarly, the village head of Kaliari, Malam Bulama Kado was full of praises for Governor Gaidam.

According to him, “our community existed over 100 years without light, this time it got the blessings of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, as for us he is the only governor we ever had, most of us have finished the wiring of our houses waiting for the commissioning”.

Malam Mohammed Abdullahi, the village head of Lantewa narrated the ordeal that they went through. He said that “before now, we have to travel 70 kilometers to get ice block especially during fasting period but now our tears have been wiped away. We thank the governor for considering our community to benefit from this gesture”.

As for Babagana Ma’aji, a resident of the community, Gaidam’s future political aspiration has been sealed. Like most governors who finish their two terms, he is likely to run for the senate and if he does, Babagana said that “Governor Gaidam has finished his campaigning in our area, if he is to contest for Senate 2019, he need not to come again, he has done much for us”.

Electrification will curb rural-urban drift.

There is no doubt that the electrification has brought life to the communities and the high level of migration to cities will be minimized to its barest level. In addition, all boreholes in the area that depend solely on generators will now be connected to the national grid which will reduce the burden of diesel purchase.

Definitely, the provision of the light in the areas will create job opportunities to youth and discourage urban migration, our correspondent was told. Youth who are into selling of snacks, those who engage in welding and grinding of food substances but depend on generators among others will now smile as their businesses will now boost and running cost reduced.

According to Blueprint Weekend’s findings, the electrification of the communities has started attracting indigenes of the area who had refused to build houses in those communities. With this development, the Gaidamled administration has linked all the local government headquarters and the major communities in the state to the national grid.

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