Jigawa spends N1bn on 3 market streetlights, N4.6bn to switch diesel lights to solar in 9 months
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of the Jigawa State Budget Performance document has shown that the state spent N1 billion to erect solar lights in three markets in the state.
The state also spent N4.6 billion between January and September to convert diesel-powered streetlights to solar-powered streetlights across ten local government areas. The projection reads;
“Installation of Solar Street Light to Improve Security at Sara, Maigatari and Gujungu Markets”, with the total budget for the purpose standing at N20 billion.
The project, according to findings, was aimed at improving security and boosting night-time economic activities in the selected markets. It is, however, unclear how many Solar Streetlights will be installed with these billions of Naira.
A SolaceBase review of the Jigawa State government’s 2025 budget estimates also shows that a sum of N100 million is planned to be spent on purchasing a Toyota Prado for the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in 2025.
Another sum of N100 million is earmarked for two vehicles meant for the purchase of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.
Similarly, another N100 million is planned to be used to purchase two motor vehicles for the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly.
Also, N100 million is planned to be used to purchase eight vehicles for directors in the House of Assembly.
The budget reads that these vehicles are meant to be “fairly used”, however, they are planned to cost N12.5 million each.
This would mean N400 million is planned for vehicles for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other top staff of the Assembly in 2025.
Observers have noted that the amount of N400 million planned for the purchase of vehicles for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker could alternatively be used to provide more essential infrastructure for rural communities. For instance, the amount could be used to construct forty-four simple solar streetlights, as the state planned N9 million for one simple solar light in 2025.
The same amount can also be used to provide hand pump spare parts, four times the state’s total allocation for that category in the 2025 budget. The state budgeted N100 million for the purchase of hand pump spare parts.
The government also planned to construct one hand pump at N2.7 million, meaning that 148 hand pumps can be constructed with the amount earmarked for vehicle procurement. Such projects could go a long way toward addressing the state’s persistent water access challenges, especially in rural areas where many residents depend on open wells and streams for daily use.
Other expenditures in the document include N7 million for 10 refrigerators in the House of Assembly, while 12 standing fans are earmarked at N2.4 million, meaning each fan is expected to cost N200,000.
The state House of Assembly also plans to spend N2.2 million on four digital cameras.
This is even as another N100 million has been budgeted for two motor vehicles meant for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.
Another review of the 2025 proposed budget estimates of Jigawa State shows that a sum of N200 million has been earmarked for the purchase of four rider bikes for the Government House.
By this budgeted amount, it would mean that N50 million is being planned to be spent on each bike by the government. Rider bikes are usually part of a government motorcade used during official movements.
This is even as the state government plans to spend N1 billion on official and utility vehicles for the Government House. Another sum of N300 million was budgeted for office furniture and equipment in the Government House.
The state government also planned to spend N100 million to construct a Presidential Annex Lodge while allocating another N50 million for its furnishing.
Between Q1 and Q3 2024, a review of the budget performance documents of the state shows that a sum of N246 million was spent on renovating the Government House Presidential Lodge in Dutse.
Another N291 million was spent to renovate the Governor’s House and other sections of the Governor’s residence.
These expenditures have drawn criticism from some citizens and budget accountability groups, who argue that the government’s spending priorities appear misplaced in light of the state’s high poverty rate.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Jigawa State has an estimated 2.46 million poor persons, representing one of the highest poverty indices in northern Nigeria. In addition, about 43% of children who are of school age are not in school, a figure that underscores the state’s education crisis.
Analysts have argued that the funds channeled into luxury vehicles, expensive renovations, and high-cost solar projects could instead be redirected toward improving education, healthcare, and access to potable water across communities.
Economists also note that with the rising cost of living and declining revenue from the federal allocation, states such as Jigawa need to re-evaluate their spending to ensure that allocations directly benefit citizens.
Public accountability advocates have called for greater transparency in the implementation of capital projects, especially those involving solar streetlights and infrastructure upgrades. They emphasize the need for cost-benefit evaluations to ensure that government expenditures correspond with real developmental outcomes.
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