By Salim Yunusa
There is palpable fear among indigenes of Kano State that they are likely to lose major electricity projects because of the political feud between the Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Senator representing Kano North, Senator Barau Jibrin.
Given the antecedent of Ganduje, there’s concern that the state government may not allocate land for the projects since they were initiated by Jibrin, who is at loggerheads Ganduje.
Jibrin is part of the Kano All Progressives Congress (APC) splinter group led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano Central) who defied the governor and held parallel congress last October.
It would be recalled that Governor Ganduje has rejected a federal constituency project in Tofa, his constituency over a political feud with member representing Dawakin Tofa/ Tofa/ Rimin Gago, Hon Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), according to a letter sighted by Sahelian Times, has already written to the governor, requesting allocation of land to construct two 60MVA 132/33KV sub-station in Kano North Senatorial – Bichi and Kanye towns.
The letter confirmed Barau as the initiator.
The letter reads: “this is to acquaint His Excellency with the above request, and to inform you of the two projects awarded by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to contractors. The contractors were mobilized to site. However, commencement and execution of the projects were hindered due to lack of space.
His Excellency may wish to be informed that the Federal Executive Council has granted approval of Electricity Sub-station projects to be sited at Kanye, and Bichi Local Government Areas of Kano State.
The projects were initiated by the Senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Barau I. Jibrin who has continued to show enthusiasm for Transmission Company of Nigeria to expedite action by ensuring the execution of the projects.
In this circumstance therefore, Your Excellency, it shall be appreciated if you graciously grant Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), an approval by allocating land for the execution of the projects at Kanye and Bichi Local Government Areas in Kano State.”
