By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has announced an ambitious plan to establish an independent power station to provide uninterrupted electricity to key state facilities, including the Government House, State Secretariat Complex, and State House of Assembly.

The Commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. Surajo A. Musa, made the disclosure while defending the ministry’s 2025 budget proposal before the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
He explained that the proposed power station, using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), would be sited in Dutse as part of the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
He gave a breakdown of the Ministry’s budget to indicate that ₦30b was allocated to the Ministry of Power and Energy,₦10b for the Rural Electricity Board and ₦1.5b earmarked for the Alternative Energy Agency.

Dr. Musa reiterated the fact that Jigawa is championing the domestication of the National Electricity Act, a move that allows the state to harness local resources for power generation and consumption.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Muhammad Na’eem Adamu, lauded the state government for creating the Ministry of Power and Energy.
He expressed confidence that the proposed initiatives would significantly boost the state’s socio-economic landscape.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi has prioritized energy development by establishing the new ministry and signing the Jigawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission into law. The commission is tasked with overseeing the state’s electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply.
The law is aimed at enhancing electricity access for residents, encouraging private sector investments in the energy sector and Promoting the development of diverse energy systems, including grid, mini-grid, and off-grid solutions.
The initiative is expected to leverage renewable and non-renewable energy sources to meet the growing electricity needs of Jigawa State.
The proposed independent power station and the state’s progressive energy policies are set to transform Jigawa into a model for energy efficiency and reliability in Nigeria.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State government has earmarked ₦30 million for the development of an Electronic Procurement Portal to ensure transparency and efficiency in awarding state contracts and monitoring projects.

The Director General of the Jigawa State Due Process and Projects Monitoring Bureau, Professor Kassim Muhammad, made the disclosure during the defense of the bureau’s 2025 budget proposal before the House Committee on Due Process and Projects Monitoring.

Professor Muhammad indicated that the government allocated ₦70 million to the bureau for its 2025 operations, with ₦30 million specifically set aside for the development of the portal and an additional ₦10 million for its routine maintenance.

“Another ₦10 million is allocated for staff capacity building, while ₦20 million will be spent on the Zonal Annual Procurement Forum,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Malam Umar Namadi and the state legislature for their support, which has enabled the bureau to perform its duties effectively.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Due Process, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Ibrahim, representing Birnin Kudu Constituency, commended the bureau for its critical role in vetting, inspecting, and monitoring government projects.

Similarly, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi Tura Musari, a member representing Guri Constituency, emphasized the need for the bureau to establish zonal offices to ensure comprehensive monitoring of government projects across the state.

The initiative underscoreed Jigawa State’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Prime Initiative for Development and Fiscal Transparency (PIDFT), a leading non-governmental organization, has applauded Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi for the innovative and transformative 2025 budget.

In a statement issued in Dutse by the organization’s Executive Director, Mal. Muhammad Abdul Dutse, the group described the ₦698.3 billion budget as a bold commitment to advancing social and infrastructural development across the state.

Mal.Dutse commended the governor’s dedication to fostering sustainable growth and improving citizens’ living standards despite the prevailing economic challenges and the recent tax reform bill.

He highlighted key innovations in the budget, including the implementation of the Jigawa Integrated Tax Administration System (JIGITAS) for seamless online tax collection, the establishment of the Jigawa Engagement and Enlightenment Team (JEET) for taxpayer engagement, and the creation of a Tax Audit Unit to tackle evasion and improve compliance.

The introduction of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) was also praised as a progressive step to address taxpayers’ concerns effectively. Citizens can now access GRM contact points across the state to resolve tax-related issues, ensuring transparency and accountability in revenue collection.

PIDFT urged residents, businesses, and stakeholders to support the administration’s vision by complying with tax obligations. “Tax compliance is not just a civic duty but a critical pathway to funding essential services and driving transformative development,” the statement read.

The group called on the people of Jigawa to rally behind Governor Namadi’s administration in achieving the ambitious goals outlined in the 2025 budget, emphasizing that collective effort is essential for its success.