Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa, on Friday, inaugurated a solar power project at the Dutse Ultra-Modern Market to provide alternative energy to 300 shops.

He said the gesture was in fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to ensure supply of clean and reliable energy to traders.

Mr Namadi said the initiative would ease business operations, reduce expenses and boost the profitability of traders.

“Today, we have fulfilled the promise we made a year ago that we would provide electricity in Dutse Market powered by solar energy.

“We provided 300 shops with solar-powered fans to ease business activities and increase the profits of traders, as they will no longer pay electricity bills yet enjoy an uninterrupted supply,” he said.

Mr Namadi recalled that Vice-President Kashim Shettima earlier inaugurated solar power grid installations as part of the project during an official visit to the state.

He said the state government would install solar streetlights in the market to enhance security and highlighted other measures adopted to support businesses.

The governor said that he facilitated the establishment of a Bank of Industry (BoI) office in the state and signed an agreement with the bank, which enabled the government to inject N4 billion to support small enterprises.

Mr Namadi urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities to access the fund domiciled with the bank to expand their businesses.

Yahaya Ibrahim, chairman of the Jigawa State Traders’ Association, lauded Mr Namadi’s market solar power project and empowerment support for traders.

He said the market electrification project signalled Mr Namadi’s interventions for traders.

The project was executed by the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency.

It supplied 300 shops with electricity, fitted with a solar-powered ceiling fan each.

 (NAN)