Power Minister Tegbe displaying the policy paper
The Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has launched the Zamfara State Electricity Policy, commissioned two (2) solar plants of 2.5MW capacity lays the foundation for the connection of 36 solar mini grids across nine local government areas, in projects expected to connect close to 147,000 homes and businesses on completion.
The Minister, who spoke in Gusau alongside Governor Dauda Lawal, the MD of the Rural Electrification Agency – Abba Aliyu, Development Partners, and Traditional and Community Leaders, noted the initiatives put the Renewed Hope Agenda into practice by “turning reform and investment into better public services, cleaner transport and more dependable electricity for homes and businesses.”
The commissioned plants are a 1MW mini grid / 2.4MW BESS at the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, which will help doctors operate with greater confidence and preserve essential medicines, and a 1.5MW / 3.6MW BESS for the Government House and its auxiliary facilities which will eliminate dependence on diesel based power generation. Of the mini grids, the interconnected projects in Gusau and Kaura Namoda will improve supply on the existing distribution network, while the other 34 will serve communities beyond the grid’s present reach. Zamtaxi, also unveiled, opens opportunities for drivers, technicians and young entrepreneurs in cleaner transport.
Tegbe credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose assent to the Electricity Act 2023 created greater room for states and investors to participate in the sector, and pledged the Ministry’s support “to translate this policy into effective institutions and improved service.” He urged host communities to protect the assets as their own and to report vandalism and theft promptly, and congratulated Zamfara on 30 years of statehood.
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He also commended the Executive Governor for driving and sponsoring the two (2) commissioned minigrid projects amongst other solar powered projects in the state, including solar power for 15 general hospitals 800 schools and 70 Primary Health Care facilities.
The Zamfara 36 minigrid projects form part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda drive to bring electricity to all Nigerians. Alongside strengthening the national grid, the Federal Government is expanding solar power and other viable sources, bringing supply closer to demand and reaching communities previously without access. For Zamfara, that means a more resilient, more diverse electricity system, and dependable power for the homes, hospitals, farms and markets that depend on it.
