Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has commissioned a 1MW Solar Inter-connected Mini-Grid Project in Talasse, headquarters of Balanga Local Government Area of the State.
The project, commissioned on Saturday, is expected to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to over 6,000 households and businesses, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, job creation and improved living standards in the long-neglected community.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Talasse, Governor Yahaya said the project, which was flagged off on November 6, 2025, has moved from promise to reality in less than a year.
He noted that lack of electricity had for over 17 years constrained economic opportunities for farmers, artisans, traders and entrepreneurs in Talasse who relied on expensive alternative energy sources.
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“Electricity is not merely a social amenity; it is a fundamental driver of modern economic development. With this commissioning, small businesses can now operate more productively, artisans can expand, farmers can add value to their produce, and our youths can acquire digital skills,” he said.
Governor Yahaya said the project aligned with the Federal Government’s electricity sector reforms under the Electricity Act 2023, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said Gombe has keyed into the reform through its own Electricity Law, the establishment of the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Gombe Electricity Company Limited.
He stressed that sustainability will depend on effective management and responsible use, urging operators to maintain high standards of transparency and service delivery.
To complement the power supply, he said the state government will provide productive-use equipment at favourable prices, including modular rice milling machines, electric multi-flour grinding machines and groundnut oil processing machines to boost agro-processing and create jobs for women and youths.
The governor announced that construction of 4MW solar mini-grids will soon be flagged off in Akko, Dukku, Funakaye and Kaltungo LGAs, “while mini-grid projects in Filiya and Gelengu have reached 90 percent completion.
According to him, a total of 80 communities across the state are targeted under the rural electrification programme.
He 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 their support.
Governor Yahaya also thanked traditional rulers and the people of Talasse for their cooperation, urging them to protect the facility against vandalism, theft and illegal connections.
He said, “Support the operators by observing the necessary safety guidelines and fulfilling your obligations as responsible consumers. The sustainability of this investment is essential to ensuring that its benefits endure for generations yet unborn.”
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