Government to electrify 550 villages in 2016

Sokoto State Government plans to provide electricity to 550 villages in the the state in 2016, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Rural Development, Alhaji Ladan Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar made the disclosure in Sokoto on Tuesday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the inaugural meeting of the House of Assembly Committee on Rural Development.

Abubakar, who represented the Commissioner for Rural Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu said that the ministry would also provide roads and potable water to rural communities during the year.

According to him, the state government had linked 313 towns and villages with electricity in 2015 and provided over 1000 communities with potable water.

He said that this was necessary to ensure sustainable benefits to the people and boost rural economy.

Abubakar assured that the state government would sustain good working relationship with the legislature to fast track the development of the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Arzika Sarki had solicited for the support of all stake holders to enable the legislature perform optimally.

He said that such support was necessary in allowing all elected officials redeem their campaign pledges.

In a related development, the House Committee on Multi-Literal and Donor Agencies, had also met with officials of the state Ministry for Budget and Economic Planning and Non Governmental Organizations.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Achida, said that the meeting was to encourage team work in the course of the committee's assignments.