By: Ahmed Rufa’i
The people of Ringim town in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State have commended Governor Malam Umar Namadi for fulfilling his campaign promise to reconnect the community to the national grid after nearly two decades of power outage.
Findings by TRUTHS FINDER revealed that residents of Ringim town and other communities in the local government area had endured years of prolonged darkness, economic hardship, and high operating costs due to the absence of stable electricity. The situation, however, changed with the successful connection of Ringim to the Gagarawa National Grid by the Namadi-led administration.
Gathered by TRUTHS FINDER the people of the area reached an agreement with the governor Malam Umar Namadi while was a Deputy Governor and gubernatorial candidate during his campaign visit to Ringim and Malam Umar Namadi pledged to resolve Ringim’s power challenge if given the opportunity.
Speaking with Truths Finder in Ringim, residents and business owners expressed gratitude to the governor and the state government, describing the development as a turning point for the town’s economy and social life.
A drinks seller at the motor park, Malam Musa, said he could not remember the last time he enjoyed uninterrupted electricity for up to 12 hours in over 12 years. He noted that the steady power supply has drastically reduced his dependence on generators, thereby cutting operating costs and improving his profit margin.
Similarly, a welder, Malam Kabiru, said the lack of reliable electricity had crippled his business for years due to limited capital and high fuel expenses.
According to him, the restored power supply will allow him to work more efficiently, expand his services, and improve his standard of living.
Residents also praised the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Surajo Musa, for his commitment and key role in ensuring the successful completion of the project.
For many years, erratic power supply stifled businesses, slowed economic growth, and lowered the standard of living in Ringim.
Households and entrepreneurs were often left without electricity for weeks and, in some cases, months, forcing them to rely heavily on expensive generators and alternative energy sources.
Previous administrations made several efforts to address the challenge. During the administration of former Governor Sule Lamido, Ringim was connected to Dutse as an alternative power source, which provided temporary relief.
However, the improvement was short-lived, and the town soon returned to prolonged outages.
The agitation for a permanent solution intensified with the completion of the Gagarawa National Grid project, as residents called for Ringim’s inclusion.
The campaign gained momentum during the tenure of former Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, but despite sustained advocacy, the connection did not materialise, even as parts of the Gumel axis, including Babura Local Government Area, were connected.
Hope was rekindled when the matter reached the then Deputy Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, who publicly pledged to resolve Ringim’s power challenge if given the opportunity.
Two years into his tenure as governor, that promise has now been fulfilled.
January 1, 2026, has been described by residents as a historic day, as electricity from the Gagarawa National Grid was officially connected to Ringim, bringing an end to decades of power instability.
The development sparked jubilation across the town, with many describing it as long-awaited relief from years of hardship.
While celebrating the achievement, residents appealed to Governor Namadi to also address other pressing challenges facing the town which include finding a lasting solution to the perennial Rafin Kainuwa Pond problem, which causes destruction and displacement during the rainy season.
Other demands raised include the construction of additional township roads, particularly in Nasarawa Quarter and the main town, the dualisation of Unity Road, and the completion of the Emir’s Palace Road.
