The Sokoto State government has begun reconfiguring electricity supply to eight local government areas in the Eastern Senatorial Zone.

The council areas have been without electricity for nearly a decade.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Isa Sadiq, who disclosed this at a news conference in Sokoto, said the reconnection strongly demonstrated Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to improving the quality of life for residents.

He said the local government areas had hitherto been in darkness for nearly a decade.

According to him, the initiative to reconnect the areas aims to restore the power supply, stimulate economic growth, and enhance social well-being in the affected communities.

According to him, the governor had taken significant steps to enhance energy supply across the state in a strategic move to revitalise industries and improve electricity access.

“One of the key projects is the completion of the inherited Independent Power Plant (IPP) at a cost of N950 million.

“This project will play a crucial role in reviving collapsed industries and boosting the economy of Sokoto State,” he said.

Alhaji Sadiq said the state government had taken significant steps to improve public transportation to address transportation challenges that followed the removal of fuel subsidies.

“110 mass transit buses and taxi cabs have been procured and deployed for intra- and inter-city services 46 buses dedicated to inter-local government mass transit.

“20 motorised boats and 1,000 life jackets have been provided for riverine communities to ensure safer water transportation and reduce incidents of riverine accidents.

“All these transport services are being subsidised to ensure affordability and ease of movement for the people of Sokoto State.

“These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, enhancing mobility, and making life easier for residents through strategic investments in the works and transport sector.”