The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has called on the federal government to boost the daily electricity allocation to Kano, stressing the importance of reliable power for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
Highlighting that SMEs account for 80 percent of Kano’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he urged an increase in power to stimulate economic growth and encourage youth productivity.
READ ALSO: Gov. Yusuf bans corner shop land allocations
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Shehu Sagagi, the governor made this appeal on Thursday during the visit of Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to Kano. Governor Yusuf pointed out that the recent power outages in northern Nigeria have led to billions of Naira in losses for local industries and residents. “A steady power supply is essential for any society,” he noted. “It enables small businesses to thrive and enhances revenue generation.”
The governor proposed several measures to strengthen Kano’s power infrastructure, including the setup of an emergency power plant at medium voltage, construction of a mini-grid power station, and establishing a solar power generation system for healthcare facilities. He also urged expedited completion of the Kaduna-Kano 330kV transmission line and the Daura-Kura-Jogana 330kV line to reduce strain on the national grid.
Additionally, Governor Yusuf said the state is committed to enhancing local power generation and has begun establishing a state electricity market to attract private investors. He mentioned that electricity subsidies would be considered in the upcoming budget to support local businesses. To further address security and infrastructure concerns, he requested the formation of a tri-party committee involving the state, federal government, and distribution companies to coordinate protection for power facilities.
Minister Adelabu acknowledged the importance of Kano’s power needs and assured the state of federal support. He stated, “We are here to inspect installations and explore collaboration avenues to strengthen the power sector.”
Expressing sympathy for northern communities affected by recent outages, Adelabu emphasized the need for local efforts to prevent power theft and vandalism, as well as the importance of states leveraging their autonomy to enhance power generation. He revealed that only 10 states currently utilize this opportunity and encouraged Kano to take similar steps.
