By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
For 17 years, residents of Talasse, headquarters of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State and environs, endured prolonged electricity deprivation that constrained businesses, agriculture and essential services.
That reality has now changed with the commissioning of a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe.
The project, delivered through a partnership involving the Federal Government, Gombe State Government, the World Bank and Mids Dynamic Ltd, is expected to provide electricity to about 6,000 households and business premises in Talasse and neighbouring communities, creating opportunities for economic growth and improved healthcare, education and livelihoods.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described electricity as a critical driver of economic development, noting that years of lack of power supply had limited the productivity of farmers, artisans, traders and small-business owners.
He said the facility would improve learning conditions in schools, strengthen healthcare delivery and enable businesses to operate more efficiently.
He urged residents to maximise the opportunities it offers through productive ventures, particularly agro-processing, enterprise development and employment creation.
To enhance the economic benefits of rural electrification, the Governor disclosed that the project is being complemented with productive-use equipment, including rice-milling machines, electric flour grinders and groundnut oil-processing machines, which would be made available to beneficiaries at favourable prices.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding electricity access beyond urban centres, announcing plans to extend the programme to 80 communities across the state.
He said plans are underway to flag off 4-megawatt interconnected solar mini-grid projects in other beneficiary areas, while ongoing projects in Filiya and Gelengu had reached 90 per cent completion.
The Governor said Gombe State is leveraging electricity sector reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Electricity Act 2023, to attract investment and expand access to reliable and sustainable power.
He explained that the establishment of the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission and Gombe Electricity Company Limited had provided an institutional framework for increased investment, private-sector participation and a more diversified electricity market.
While commending the Federal Government, the Rural Electrification Agency, the World Bank and technical partners for their contributions, he stressed that the project’s long-term success would depend on effective management, regular maintenance and responsible consumption.
He urged residents to protect the facility against vandalism, theft and illegal connections, emphasising that safeguarding the investment was a collective responsibility.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, disclosed that Gombe State is benefiting from a combined 17 megawatts of solar mini-grid projects across four local government areas under this partnership with the Federal Government.
He described the Talasse project as an important step towards extending electricity to underserved communities, noting that the Tinubu administration is pursuing off-grid solutions to stimulate grassroots economic activities and advance national energy security.
The Minister commended the Gombe State Government for its commitment to infrastructure development and collaboration with the Federal Government, describing Governor Inuwa Yahaya as an uncommon performer, reformer and dogged leader.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Federal Government had approved $750 million to support electricity access for more than 30 communities across the country.
He described Gombe State as a model in the implementation of the initiative and commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment to expanding electricity access.
The member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, Hon. Ali Isa JC, also commended the state government for its infrastructure investments and efforts to facilitate electricity access for Talasse and surrounding communities.
Also speaking, the member representing Balanga North, Hon. Musa Buba, said his constituents had endured years of neglect under previous administrations, with little or no meaningful intervention, until the coming of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s APC-led government, which he said has addressed many of the area’s long-standing infrastructure and development needs.
Gombe State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, said the project demonstrated the value of cooperation between the Federal and state governments in strengthening electricity sector reforms and inclusive development.
The Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project Agency, Bldr. Mahmood Yusuf, assured the Minister and the Rural Electrification Agency of the state government’s commitment to the facility’s safety, effective management and maintenance.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Balanga Local Government Area, Ibrahim Salihu, and the Bala Waja, Danjuma Muhammad, described the project as an unprecedented intervention for the community, expressing profound gratitude to the Federal and state governments and pledging continued support for its protection and sustainability.
The ceremony featured the official unveiling of the solar mini-grid facility and a tour of its installations.
End
About The Author
