By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Socio-economic activities in Bekwara local government of Cross River North are set to resume with a bang, following concrete efforts initiated by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe to restore electricity to the area after a prolonged blackout spanning over 6 years.
Already, contractors have been mobilized to site for planting of over sixty electric poles for mounting several rolls of aluminum conductors stretching from Gakem, Nyanya through Vandekia to Markudi in Benue to reconnect the area to the national grid
Speaking in Gakem, the historic town where the first shot signaling the commencement of the Nigeria civil war was fired, a community leader, Chief Odey Simon lauded Senator Jarigbe for the gesture, noting that the development will resuscitate commercial activities which have been in the lull for several years due to lack of public power supply in Bekwara and most parts of Cross River Northern Senatorial District.
“This singular intervention from our Senator is one of the best things he has done given the multiplier effect this is bound to usher into our locality ‘
” The passion and commitment demonstrated by Senator Jarigbe to the betterment of our people in Cross River North is unprecedented despite his short stint as our Senator. We remain ever grateful and appreciative of this humane disposition”
Speaking in Aboucheche, the headquarters of Bekwara local government, a youth activist, Agan Sunday, expressed delight at the intervention, describing it as an answer to prayers.
“We have been groping in darkness for several years now having been disconnected from the national grid courtesy of the ill-fated State Government Independent Power Plant in Obudu which did not last for 6 months after taking off in 2016. Vandals capitalized on the prolonged blackout and vandalized the line from here to Benue thereby prolonging our miseries’ Our Senator Jarigbe has done what Napoleon could not do”
Conducting newsmen on inspection of the project, an official of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company which oversees Benue where the line is expected to be linked to the grid revealed that needed materials and equipment including transformers have been provided to ensure speedy completion of the project which he disclosed is under the purview of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
He implore the beneficiaries to ensure adequate security of the facilities to guard against vandalization by vandals and other unscrupulous elements in the society.
Summit Post recalled that the Paramount Ruler of Bekwarra, HRH Linus Odey had at different fora appealed to the government to restore public power to the local government area lamenting that the absence of electricity has stagnated economic growth, commerce, and economic prosperity despite their abundance of natural endowments.
