By Abdullahi Lukman
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has commissioned a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid in Talasse, Balanga Local Government Area, to provide electricity to more than 6,000 households and businesses.
The project, inaugurated on Saturday, is expected to improve access to reliable and affordable electricity, stimulate economic activities and create jobs in the community, which had endured more than 17 years of limited electricity access.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Yahaya said the project, initiated on November 6, 2025, had been completed in less than a year. He noted that the lack of reliable power had constrained the activities of farmers, traders, artisans and entrepreneurs, forcing many to depend on expensive alternative energy sources.
The governor said the project would enable small businesses to operate more efficiently, support agricultural processing and provide young people with opportunities to develop digital skills.
He added that the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s electricity sector reforms under the Electricity Act 2023, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the state has strengthened its participation in the reforms through its electricity law, the establishment of the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Gombe Electricity Company Limited.
Yahaya also announced plans to introduce productive-use equipment at affordable rates to complement the new electricity supply.
The equipment includes modular rice milling machines, electric flour-grinding machines and groundnut oil-processing machines aimed at boosting agricultural value addition and creating employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
He disclosed that the state government would soon commence the development of 4MW solar mini-grids in Akko, Dukku, Funakaye and Kaltungo local government areas.
He added that similar projects in Filiya and Gelengu were 90 per cent complete.
According to the governor, the state’s rural electrification programme targets 80 communities across Gombe State.
Yahaya commended President Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, the Rural Electrification Agency, led by Engr. Abba Aliyu, the World Bank and technical partner MIDS Dynamic for supporting the initiative.
He urged residents to protect the facility against vandalism, theft and illegal connections, while calling on operators to maintain transparency, ensure efficient service delivery and adhere to safety standards to guarantee the project’s long-term sustainability.
