Governor Malam Umar Namadi on Thursday commissioned a solar electrification project at the Dutse Ultra-Modern Market, fulfilling his administration’s pledge to provide clean and reliable energy to traders.
The project, executed by the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency, has connected 300 shops to electricity from solar panels installed within the market. Each of the shops was also fitted with a solar-powered ceiling fan at no cost to the traders.
Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony, Governor Namadi said the initiative would ease business operations, reduce expenses, and boost the profitability of traders.
“Today, by the power and mercy of Allah, we have been able to fulfill the promise we made a year ago that we would provide the shops in Dutse Market with electricity powered by solar energy,” he said.
“Three hundred shops have each been connected and provided with solar-powered fans. This will ease business activities, and by the grace of Allah, increase the profits of traders as they will no longer pay electricity bills and will enjoy uninterrupted supply.”
Part of the project, the installation of the solar grid, was inaugurated last year by Vice President Kashim Shettima during an official visit to the state. At the time, the government promised to extend connections to individual stalls, which has now been completed.
Governor Namadi also pledged to install solar streetlights in the market to improve security and highlighted additional steps being taken to support businesses in Jigawa. He pointed to the facilitation of a Bank of Industry branch in the state and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the bank, through which the government injected ₦4 billion to support small-scale enterprises.
The governor encouraged entrepreneurs and traders in the state to take advantage of the Bank of Industry facility to access funds for expanding their businesses.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Jigawa State Traders’ Association, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim, commended the governor for providing solar energy to the market and for other empowerment programmes that have benefited traders. He noted that the market electrification project was only the beginning of Governor Namadi’s planned interventions to improve the welfare of traders across the state.
