Following a prolonged power outage lasting more than 12 days in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, residents are urgently calling for action to link the town to the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station situated in the southern region of the state,Daily Trust reports.
With a capacity to generate 40 megawatts, the station presents a potential remedy to the current power crisis plaguing the city.
Expressing their grievances, Abubakar Sani, a notable rice miller and entrepreneur in Jalingo, criticized the unequal distribution of electricity across the state. He highlighted the injustice of the southern senatorial zone enjoying uninterrupted power while Jalingo and other areas suffer from persistent blackouts.
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Sani stressed the significance of Jalingo as the state capital, housing a sizable population, numerous establishments, hospitals, and government ministries, all reliant on consistent electricity for effective operations.
Bulus James, another resident, bemoaned the diversion of power generated by the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station to neighboring states, leaving Jalingo and other parts of Taraba in darkness. He noted that the recent disruption in power supply from the Gombe power line due to vandalism has further exacerbated the situation.
James urged both the federal and Taraba State governments to prioritize connecting the central and northern zones of the state to the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station.
