The installation of solar streetlights across Sokoto State has significantly improved security and nighttime visibility, reducing robbery incidents and enhancing residents’ quality of life. In this report, ASHENEWS highlights the impact on the residents
The Residents of Sokoto State are happy about the solar street lights installed in their streets. These lights have helped stop hoodlums who hide in the dark from robbing people of their phones and other valuables. Solar street lights were installed on every street by December 2023 in Sokoto State.
Solar street lights were installed in parts of Sokoto State, such as from Dongo Daji House to Zuru Road, Government House to the Army Barracks, and at the Airport. However, places like Offa Road, Trade Fair, and Mabera do not have solar streetlights yet.
A resident near Dongo Daji House in Sokoto State, Faruq Silame said he has lived there for over five years and has lost count of how many phones he has been robbed of.
“I leave work at 7:00 pm and it takes me over an hour to get home. The streets used to be very dark because the power supply did not come on until 9:30 pm. I couldn’t see if anyone was hiding until they stopped me and demanded my belongings.
“Even if I didn’t want to give them anything, they would slap me, search me, take my phone and money, and tell me to run away. I reported this to the police, but nothing changed.
“Since the lights were installed, I can see everyone around the corner as I walk home. Now, I even go out after getting home to buy things. In the past, I wouldn’t go out again until the next day.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Abubakar Bawa, said that Governor Ahmed Aliyu is prioritizing the security of citizens as part of his nine-point agenda. He said that the Governor’s electrification initiative has successfully lit up over 80 per cent of the state capital, enabling safer and more vibrant streets.
To enhance the project, the governor also approved replacing all old generator-powered streetlights with solar-powered ones.
Salome Sani lives near the Area Command police station. She acknowledged the way the solar streetlights have helped her a lot and saved her from criminals.
“I work in a hotel with morning and evening shifts. When I work the morning shift, I close at 8 pm and get home around 9 pm or 10 pm. I’ve been robbed many times because I couldn’t see their faces.
“I told a female friend from work about it, but she didn’t believe me. One day, we had an event at the hotel, and we closed very late. She couldn’t go home because her gate would be locked, so she decided to spend the night at my place.
“When we got to my street, we were robbed again. I gave them my phone and handbag, but my friend refused. They took out a knife and cut her fingers to take her bag,” she narrated.
Mrs Fatima Ismail who lives on Offa Road said the solar streetlights have helped her in many ways as she is now confident in sending her children to buy things at night.
” I have five girls and a boy and I send my children out at night to buy things. Mostly, it is the girls I send because they were older, but boys in the street would follow them, and they couldn’t see their faces, so I couldn’t report them to their parents.
“But now that the lights are as bright as daytime, I have reported many boys to their parents for disturbing my daughters when I send them out at night.”
Adebiyi Titilayo who lives on Old Airport Road said she sells cold pure water in the evening after school but when the night falls, she finds it difficult to see and continue with her sales.
“I sell cold pure water in the evening. Before, it used to be very dark, and I had to rely on the lights from nearby shops using generators or solar power to see and give change to customers.
“But now, with the solar street lights, I can walk around and sell my water. Before, I would close by 9:30 pm or 10 pm when the shops turned off their lights, but now I stay until 11 pm because the street is as bright as daytime.”
Muhammad Adams who sells suya on Abdullahi Kure Road said he relies on his solar bulbs to light up his meat and to attract people.
“I am happy for the solar streetlight that shines everywhere, making people aware of my suya. Sometimes I just sit down, and customers come and ask for suya because the solar street light is shining on the meat.
“It makes things easier for me, from drying the meat to adding oil and turning it on the fire. Before, I had to use my flashlight to show people the suya because if there was no power supply for a day, I wouldn’t be able to charge my solar bulbs. So, in such cases, I have to use my flashlight to let people know about my suya.”
“But since the solar street light was installed, I don’t worry about the power supply anymore. The solar lights always give me light until I close at midnight”, he recounted happily.
As Sokoto State basks in the newfound safety and vibrancy brought by solar street lights, residents are encouraged to embrace and support ongoing community initiatives. It would be great if they could take the project as theirs by reporting any unlit areas to local authorities and be a part of creating a safer, brighter Sokoto for all.
