September 26, (THEWILL) – Kano State Government has spent about N4 billion on the provision of Solar Street Lights in Kano metropolis to ensure effective lighting of the city.
The State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad, disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office.
Ahmad said the funds were spent under the phase I of the project, adding that the Solar Street Lights were installed to replace the Conventional Street Lights which were being powered by diesel generators.
He said the government took the decision to replace the conventional street lights with the solar street lights because of the high prices of diesel in the market.
“When we came in, we realised that there was need to light up the Kano metropolis because the area was dark in the night, hence the decision by Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf to reactivate the conventional street lights that are powered by diesel generators.
“But over time, we realised that it was no longer feasible to continue to maintain the Conventional Street Lights because of the high cost of diesel in the market, and so we resorted to the use of the Solar Street Lights”, he said.
He also disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the provision of more Solar Street Lights in the state capital under the Phase II of the programme.
The Commissioner said the Phase II of the project would cost about N6 billion as approved by the Council.
He said the ultimate objective of the programme is to light up the entire Kano metropolis so as to provide effective security in the area.
He said the programme would be extended to headquarters of the 44 local government areas of the state after their 5-kilometre road projects had been completed.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
