Residents of Talasse, headquarters of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, and neighbouring communities are set to enjoy improved electricity supply following the commissioning of a one-megawatt solar mini-grid after 17 years without reliable power.
The facility was commissioned by Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, alongside the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, in a project expected to supply electricity to about 6,000 households and business premises.
The initiative, delivered through a partnership involving the Federal Government, Gombe State Government, the World Bank and Mids Dynamic Ltd, is designed to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare and education, and enhance livelihoods in underserved communities.
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Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Yahaya described electricity as a critical driver of economic development, noting that years of inadequate power supply had constrained the productivity of farmers, artisans, traders and small-business owners.
He said the new facility would improve learning conditions in schools, strengthen healthcare delivery and enable businesses to operate more efficiently.
The governor urged residents to take advantage of the opportunities created by the project, particularly in agro-processing, enterprise development and employment generation.
To maximise the economic benefits of rural electrification, he disclosed that the project would be complemented by 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 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 added that preparations were under way to launch interconnected solar mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of four megawatts in other beneficiary areas, while projects in Filiya and Gelengu had reached 90 per cent completion.
The governor attributed the state’s progress in the electricity sector partly to reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Electricity Act 2023, which he said had created opportunities 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, greater private-sector participation and a more diversified electricity market.
While commending the Federal Government, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the World Bank and technical partners for their contributions, Yahaya stressed that the project’s long-term success would depend on effective management, regular maintenance and responsible electricity consumption.
He called on residents to protect the facility against vandalism, theft and illegal connections, describing its preservation as a collective responsibility.
The Minister of Power, Tegbe, disclosed that Gombe State was benefiting from solar mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17 megawatts across four local government areas under the partnership with the Federal Government.
He described the Talasse project as an important step towards extending electricity to underserved communities, adding that the Tinubu administration was pursuing off-grid solutions to stimulate grassroots economic activities and strengthen national energy security.
Tegbe also commended the Gombe State Government for its commitment to infrastructure development and collaboration with the Federal Government, describing Yahaya as an uncommon performer, reformer and dogged leader.
The Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed that the Federal Government had approved $750 million to support electricity access in more than 30 communities across the country.
He described Gombe State as a model for implementing the initiative and praised the governor’s commitment to expanding electricity access.
The member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, Ali Isa JC, also commended the state government for its infrastructure investments and efforts to provide electricity to Talasse and neighbouring communities.
Similarly, the member representing Balanga North, Musa Buba, said residents had endured years of neglect under previous administrations, with limited development interventions.
He credited the administration of Yahaya with addressing several longstanding infrastructure and development needs in the area.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, said the project demonstrated the importance of cooperation between the Federal and state governments in advancing electricity sector reforms and inclusive development.
The Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project Agency, Mahmood Yusuf, assured the Minister and the REA of the state government’s commitment to the facility’s security, 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.
They expressed gratitude to the Federal and state governments and pledged continued support for the protection and sustainability of the facility.
