Residents of Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, are demanding immediate action to connect the town to the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station, located in the southern part of the state, amid a prolonged power outage lasting over 12 days.
The Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station has the capacity to generate 40 megawatts of electricity, which could potentially solve the current power crisis gripping the city. Residents are frustrated with the disparity in power distribution across the state, with the southern senatorial zone enjoying uninterrupted power while the rest, including Jalingo, suffer from chronic outages.
Abubakar Sani, a prominent rice miller and businessman in Jalingo, decried the unfairness of the situation, stating that as the state capital, Jalingo hosts a significant population, numerous institutions, hospitals, and government ministries, all of which depend on reliable electricity to function efficiently.
Bulus James, another resident, lamented the diversion of power generated by the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station to neighboring states, leaving Jalingo and other parts of Taraba in darkness. He 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.
The recent disruption in power supply from the Gombe power line due to vandalism has exacerbated the situation, leaving residents without electricity for over 12 days.
The residents are calling on the government to take immediate action to address the power crisis and connect Jalingo to the Kashinbilla Hydro-Power Station.
