Gombe Govt. spends N12.5 billion on rural electrification

The Gombe State Government says it spent over N12.5 billion on rural electrification, from 2011 to date.

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo disclosed this in Gombe on Wednesday, during a Consumers’ Consultative Forum meeting between the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) and its customers in the state.

Dankwambo, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr Hassan Ahmadu said 350 communities were electrified in the last seven years.

“We also purchased 179 assorted transformers during the period,’’ he said.

According to him, provision of electricity in rural communities has reduced migration from rural to urban areas, because government has improved the living condition of the rural dwellers.

He further challenged the JEDC to improve on its services so that consumers would be encouraged to pay their bill as at when due.

Also speaking, Alhaji Umar Atiku, the Emir of Akko, lamented that his area had been without electricity supply for some time.

“It is sad that the General Hospital Kumo has been without light for the past six months,’’ Atiku said, attributing the problem to activities of vandals.

“We are calling on JEDC to come to our aid by replacing the vandalised transformers, so that electricity supply can be restored,’’ he said.