Not less than 30 communities in Aawe District of Asa Local Government Area, Kwara State are yet to have power supply, over 100 years after their creation.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, the Head of the District, Alhaji Oba Daudu-Suleiman lamented the situation, adding that the non provision of electricity and other infrastructural facilities like good roads in the communities had retarded the growth and development of the areas.
Suleiman, listed some of the affected communities as: Olowo, Atere, Elelu, Ogunbo, Yede, Ogundeji, Danbudo, Okoolowo, Afo, Ologede, Layeri, Ajengba, Afonta and Ode Magaji, among others.
He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the communities as a way of bringing development to the grassroots.
According to him, the provision of electricity in rural communities would curb rural-urban migration and create employment for teeming youths in the areas.
Daudu-Suleiman also urged the state government to urgently find lasting solution to the power outage confronting Aawe in the last five years.
He said that the power outage was caused by rainstorm, adding that the development had crippled social and economic activities of the town.
When contacted, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Sunday Moses, confirmed the revelation of the district head to newsmen, adding that the ministry was aware that several communities across the state were yet to enjoy electricity.
He said that the state government was working round the clock, within its available resources, toward ensuring that electricity and other amenities get to the nooks and crannies of Kwara.
“Several communities have written letters of request to the ministry, we have informed the state government of their requests, we are working round the clock on the issue,“ he said.
