Open letter to President Tinubu over Blackout in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara

A PASSIONATE APPEAL ON THE PERSISTENT POWER FAILURE IN KAURA NAMODA LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ZAMFARA STATE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

I pen this letter with a heavy heart, but with an unwavering determination to shed light on a pressing issue plaguing the people of Kaura Namoda local government area of Zamfara State. As the leader of our great nation, I appeal to your sense of justice and duty to address the persistent power failure inflicted upon us by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

Sir, this prolonged blackout has crippled our social and economic activities, jeopardizing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in the ancient and second largest city of Zamfara state.

Kaura Namoda, with a population of over 507,700 according to data from the National Population Commission and National Bureau of Statistics, spans across 911.7 square kilometers. It serves as a vital business hub and is home to the esteemed Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, along with numerous small and medium-scale industries that provide employment opportunities for our youths.

However, despite our contributions to the economy, we have been subjected to dire circumstances due to the lack of reliable electricity supply.

Since January 2024, like previous years, our once vibrant town has been plunged into darkness, with minimal respite. Even in the current month of Ramadan, we have not experienced more than three hours of electricity supply, with sporadic and insufficient power distribution. This relentless deprivation not only hampers our productivity but also impacts essential services, including healthcare and education.

As citizens who have embraced the government’s call to diversify the economy and foster self-reliance, we find ourselves hindered by the relentless power failures and exorbitant bill estimations imposed upon us. Despite our unwavering commitment to paying our bills promptly, we are denied our basic right to uninterrupted power supply.

This dire situation is exacerbated by the holy month of Ramadan, during which our community remains shrouded in darkness, depriving us of the comfort and convenience that electricity affords.

Repeated pleas and complaints to the relevant authorities have fallen on deaf ears, exacerbating our frustration and despair. We implore you, Mr. President, to intervene on our behalf and ensure that justice and fairness prevail. We refuse to be treated as second-class citizens in our own country, subjected to unjust billing for services we have not received.

Therefore, we beseech the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Consumer Protection Council, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold our rights and hold KAEDCO accountable for their negligence.

We demand immediate action to rectify this injustice and restore reliable electricity supply to Kaura Namoda and its environs.

In addition to your esteemed office, this open letter is also hereby forwarded to the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u of Zamfara North senatorial district; the Member of the House of Representatives representing Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency; as well as relevant media outlets and concerned authorities.

Mr. President, we trust in your commitment to upholding the welfare and rights of all Nigerians. We await your swift and decisive action to alleviate the suffering inflicted upon the people of Kaura Namoda.

Yours faithfully,

Abdulrazak Bello Kaura
(Development Journalist)
Public Relations Officer, Kaura Namoda Focus Forum
abdulkaura21@gmail.com
07030151385