A decade of darkness: How failed rural electrification projects left Kano communities paralised
By Hafsat Bello Bahara
Thirty-seven-year-old Yahuza Salmanu has spent more than 10 years out of his life living in Ungwar Yusi in Kabo LGA of Kano state without seeing electricity.
Four years ago, Salmanu and other villagers in Ungwar Yusi were jubilant when electricity poles were erected across the community. They had thought the perpetual darkness that had enveloped the community and lives was about to disappear. But that was not to be. They are still waiting for the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel”.
Like many residents of the agrarian community, Salmanu has endured the impact of the absence of power supply – no thanks to an abandoned electrification project.
Children born some 10 years ago in the community with about 2,000 residents have never felt the cool breeze of an electric fan or seen cartoons on television screens like their peers in other towns in Kano. The kids really do not know what life could be with electricity.
Every day, Yahuza, a peasant farmer and father of four and resident of Ungwar Yusi, spends N500 to travel to Kabo town, the Kabo LGA headquarters, to buy ice blocks, charge his mobile phone, or watch a football match.
Ungwar Yusi is about 10 kilometres away from Kabo, yet, the failure of a project awarded to electrify the community has crippled businesses and altered daily activities of the residents.
Ungwar Yusi is one of the 11 communities in seven LGAs in Kano that have been in perpetual darkness since 2019 due to the failure of some contractors to complete the rural electrification projects awarded by the state government.
In 2019 the Kano State Ministry of Rural and Community Development awarded contracts worth N124.5 million for rural electrification. The projects included the extension of low tension (LT) and high tension (HT) poles and the installation of transformers across seven LGAs.
However, four years on, communities like Unguwar Yusi, Kazar Dawa in Rimingado LGA, and Kakurun and Panisau in Ungogo LGA are still awaiting the installation of power supply.
The contract in Kazar Dawa community was awarded to B.W.S Standard Global concept at the cost of N16,844,293.87, Ayulab Dynamic Concept got N3.1 million for the one in Ungwar Yusi, while SOA Alkawari Nig. Ltd got the one in Kakurun and Panisau communities for the LT poles extension at N12,542,500.
Many poles without electricity
What looked like a glimmer of hope to the villagers of Ungwar Yusi when some construction workers came to erect electricity poles has continued to be a mirage.
“Some people came, installed the poles, but never connected the light,” said Ayuba Yahuza, the head of Ungwar Yusi.
“Since our transformer short-circuited years ago, we’ve been left in darkness.”
Yahuza reminisced about a time when electricity was briefly supplied to the village under the administration of former governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
“The poles fell after a while, and by the time they came to fix them, some wires had been stolen,” he said. “Then, in 2019, new poles were erected, but no electricity followed.”
Kano legislator gets contract which is never executed
A document gotten from the Kano State due process website indicated that the sum of 3.1 million was awarded to Ayulab Dynamic Concept as part of a state constituency project in Ungar Yusi.
However, the project has been left abandoned since 2019, leaving the community in darkness. What is left as a sign of electricity in Unguwar Yusi are electric cables hanging between poles and non-functional transformer.
Findings revealed that these many scattered cables and poles have been there since 2011; while some of them have been stolen and vandalized.
Abubakar Usman, 43, a resident, said that: “The last time we had electrification in our community was in 2011 during the regime of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.
“We have been in darkness for over 11 years. All the cable wires on the poles that were installed have been damaged. In 2019, some unknown workers claiming to be sent by the state government took the only community transformer away.
“Two months later, they replaced it with another one, which was smaller than the previous one.
“The transformer was just kept there without connecting it, as it is now, we do not even know if the transformer is in good working condition.
“We have been disconnected from light and we cannot perform any transaction or business that has to do with electricity in this community. We have tried to reach our representatives but they are not reachable as they do not leave close to us.”
While they await the completion of the project, the villagers rely on kerosene lamps and candles, fearing for their safety at night.
Most rural communities in Kano experience multiple power cuts everyday, while others have not experienced electricity before.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the rate of crimes in Kano committed under the cover of darkness, from phone snatching to burglary and robberies.
With the growing activities of bandits in the north-west region, Salmanu said living in darkness compounds their fear each time night falls.
“Whenever night falls, we don’t feel secure,” he said. “We hear about increasing banditry and kidnappings, and we’d feel more at ease with light. But now, we can only rely on small torch lights and kerosene lamps.”
The Kano state government awarded a contract worth N3,113,101 to Ayulab Dynamic Concept for LT Pole extension in the Unguwar Yusi community.
The company was registered on 24 July 2013 by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). A CAC search shows that the company belongs to Labaran Ayuba, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Kabo constituency. Ayuba was a member of the 9th Kano State House of Assembly from 2019 to 2023 and was recently re-elected in the last general election.
Further findings revealed that the real beneficial owners (directors) of the company are the lawmaker, Rabiu Alasan, Muhammad Salisu Dugabau and Nura Labaran, with Samira Muhammed as the secretary.
The firm has no traceable address. Its address provided on Ng.check.com – No. 543, Kofar Fada Durun town Kabo LGA, Kano) – could not be found in the locality. Residents of Kofar Fada Durun town said they have not heard of such a company.
The reporter called the lawmakers multiple times but he was unreachable, a text message was sent to him but he failed to respond. The reporter reached out to the spokesperson of the House of Assembly, Kamaludden Sani Shawai to assist in getting in touch with the lawamaker but he revealed that the members are on recess and therefore are not available. The reporter made two separate visits to the Assembly but couldn’t meet the law maker as he wasn’t on seat at both times. Multiple sources at the assembly revealed he hardly comes to the assembly unless absolutely necessary.
The reporter has given up hope but by a stroke of luck one of the reporters colleagues who is a correspondent at the house of assembly and has been working closely with the reporter to get access to Labaran Ayuba, Kamal Kurna managed to have a quick Interview with the lawmaker on Wednesday 28/11/2024 when he suddenly showed up to attend a meeting.
Ayuba confirmed that Ayulab Dynamics Concept is indeed his company he however claimed he didn’t receive an award letter from the ministry of rural and community development despite being the contractor on record “Usually if the Ministry for Rural and Community Development gives a constituency project contract to a company, it issues an award letter.
The contractor sources for funds and executes the project, However even though it was named as the contractor for the project and no funds were disbursed which is why we failed to complete the project”. He said.
He also claimed it wasn’t only on this project that the ministry failed to issue an award letter there were several other companies that were not issued a letter but were listed on the document.
Conflict of interest: Contracts awarded in violation of Procurement Act
The award of contract to Ayulab Dynamic Concept for the electrification of Ungwar Yusi, is a violation of section 57 (9) of the public procurement act.
Ayuba was a member of the 9th Kano State House of Assembly representing Kabo from 2019 to 2023 and was recently re-elected in the last general election. The provision of the Act precludes the lawmaker from partaking in bidding for contract as a public office holder.
Section 57 (9) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, states: “Every public officer involved directly or indirectly in matters of public procurement and disposal of assets shall: (a) divest himself of any interest or relationships which are actually or potentially inimical or detrimental to the best interest of government and the underlying principles of this Act ; and (b) not engage or participate in any commercial transaction involving the federal government, its ministries, extra-ministerial departments, corporations where his capacity as public officer is likely to confer any unfair advantage – pecuniary or otherwise on him or any person directly related to him.”
Also, section 57 (10) states: “Any person engaged in the public procurement and disposal of assets who has assumed or is about to assume a financial or other business outside business relationship that might involve a conflict of interest, must immediately declare to the authorities any actual or potential interest.”
Furthermore, section 57 (11) says, “such a declaration shall be given such consideration at the relevant level as is necessary so that, where it is seen that remedial action is taken, a conflict of interest is present.”
Mass exodus hits Kazar Dawa – small businesses collapsing
Electricity is a key driver of socio-economic activities, but its absence at Kazar Dawa community under Rimingado LGA is forcing many young people to seek greener pastures elsewhere in Kano.
Twenty-three-year-old Zakiru Hudu’s dream of starting a small business in the village has failed to materialise.
“I wanted to start a cold drinks and phone-charging business, but there’s no light here,” Hudu told this reporter.
“Now, I work as a hired hand on farms, but it doesn’t pay much.”
Each day, Hudu spends N400 to travel three kilometers to a neighbouring village just to charge his phone.
“Without electricity, it’s hard to stay connected. I charge my phone at night and leave it there until it’s fully charged,” he added.
The quality of life for residents of Kazar Dawa is on the decline as there is no opportunity for commerce, with farming being the major occupation of the residents.
Those that have not inherited farmlands from their ancestors make a quick exit to find a source of income elsewhere, with very few sticking around to make a life as hired hands in someone else’s farm.
The situation leaves many in the community vulnerable, as their phones are often unavailable for emergencies.
With no nearby police or healthcare facilities, they remain isolated and exposed, particularly considering security crisis in northern Nigeria.
A research conducted by the University of Sheffield shows a clear correlation between darkness and a spike in criminal activities. The study shows that “change of light level but without an obvious intervention such as improving road lighting in an area leads to a significant increase in robbery and other criminal activities.”
Rabo Tambaya, a 70 year old community leader in Kazar Dawa shared how the lack of electricity has stifled the village’s economic progress.
“Since my grandfather’s time, we have never had electricity. It’s part of our life now,” he said.
Many farmers in the village usually sell off their perishable farm produce or sun-dry them, leading to financial losses. There are no means of preserving the produce due largely to the absence of electricity.
Kabiru Isah Dandago, a professor of Economics at the Bayero University, Kano, highlighted the relationship between power supply and development.
“Without electricity, development grinds to a halt. People can’t maintain productivity, their purchasing power declines, and they are left out,” he said in an interview.
“This marginalised group becomes a drain on the economy rather than a driving force.”
But the lot of the Kazar Dawa villagers would have been better off if the N16.8 million electrification project awarded to B.W.S. Standard Global Concept had not been abandoned.
B.W.S. Standard Global Concept was incorporated in Matazu, Katsina State on 07 Feb 2018 and its current status is unknown. Company’s registered office address is NO. 5, Salahawa Gwarojo, Matazu, Katsina State. Lawal Rabilu is listed as the proprietor, However a Google search revealed the company does not have any online presence or a functioning website. There was no email address or phone number listed for the company as well.
The award of contract to B.W.S Standard Global Concept in Kazar Dawa village breached the Procurement Act. Findings on the CAC portal revealed that the firm was registered on Feb 7, 2018 – a year before the contract award.
The fact that the company was only registered a year before that contract was awarded is a violation of the Public Procurement Act.
The guidelines set by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) states that “in case of goods, works and consultancy contracts, the domestic bidder should have required CAC registration; Tax Clearance Certificate, comply with Pension Fund and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) contributions”.
According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), “a tax clearance certificate can be obtained by an individual or a company”.
“A tax clearance certificate is issued in arrears over a course of three years. You need to have rendered your tax returns to the relevant authority over the course of three years to be eligible for a tax clearance certificate in Nigeria”.
This means B.W.S Standard Global Concept was not eligible for a public contract as of the time of award in 2019.
Broken Promises in Kakurun and Panisau
Two years after a thunderstorm threw Kakurun and Panisau, two small communities in Ungogo LGA, into darkness, residents heaved a sigh of relief in 2019 when SOA Alkawari Nig. Ltd was awarded the contract to extend LT poles and restore power to the areas.
When the N12.5 million contract was awarded, Hajia Rakiya, who once ran a small ice block and zobo business, was elated.
Four years on, Rakiya and many residents of Kakurun have seen their livelihoods crumble.
“I used to make a profit selling cold drinks, but since the light went out, my business has collapsed,” she said.
With her husband unable to work after an accident, her income had been vital. Now, she struggles to provide for her three children.
It is also a tale of woes for residents of Panisau, where Basiru Adamu’s water selling business has been severely affected.
“I used to rely on electricity to run my borehole, but now I spend a lot on petrol. It’s not sustainable,” Adamu said.
Basiru, who once supplied water to the entire community, now struggles to make ends meet as the prices of petrol continue to rise.
We were not awarded any electrification contract in Kano, says contractor
While residents are unhappy that Kakurun and Panisau have continued to be in darkness, the engineering firm awarded the contract to restore electricity to their communities, has denied knowledge of or involvement in any such contract.
Sa’ad Lamido Jummare, the operational manager of SOA Alkawari Nig Ltd, based in Zaria, Kaduna State, told this reporter that the firm was not awarded any extension of LT poles in the Kakurun and Panisau communities.
“Our company does not deal with electrical installations of any kind, we do constructions, supplies of agricultural products, and empowerment.
“The only projects we executed in Kano in 2019 were constructions of classrooms in Bunkure and Bichi LGAs,” Jummare said when contacted to speak on why the project was not executed.
“So, the projects for the extension of LT poles in Kakurun and Panisau communities were not part of the projects we handled in Kano.
“We never had any discussion with the State Ministry for Community and Rural Development on any electrification or extension of LT poles. We shall follow up to know why our company appeared on the document.”
Kano government mum on failed electricity projects
Despite a promise by Abbas Sani Abbas, the Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, to ensure that the details of the projects are made available to this reporter after receiving a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, no response has been provided.
This reporter sent a FOIA request to the Kano state Ministry of rural and community development, seeking details of the projects and why they have been abandoned.
The commissioner expressed willingness to comply with the request and aid the investigation.
He directed the request to the rural electrification board, noting that the information regarding the procurement process was domicile there. However, at the time of filing this report, the board was not forthcoming to provide the requested details.
The reporter reached out to Musa iliyasu Kwankwaso, the commissioner of the ministry in 2019 when the contracts were awarded, to gain more insight on the contract process. He received the call and after the reporter introduced herself, he directed her to talk to his PA to schedule a formal interview which she did.
The PA simply identified as Dan Zaria said Iliyasu was out of town and he will schedule an interview once he got back. He later asked the reporter to send in the interview questions first before an interview is scheduled but once the reporter sent him a basic focus of what the interview will be on, he failed to respond.
In all three communities, the absence of electricity is more than an inconvenience; it is a barrier to development.
Farmers cannot store their produce, small businesses cannot thrive, and families are left to bear the financial burden of procuring basic services like phone charging.
For the people of Unguwar Yusi, Kazar Dawa, Kakurun, and Panisau, the wait for electricity is a decade long. Their stories are not just of failed projects but of opportunities lost, livelihoods destroyed, and lives altered forever.
This investigation is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting.
