Daily Chronicle
The Bauchi State Government has expressed readiness to partner with the Rural Electrification Agency REA to strengthen electricity access in rural areas, attract investment, and enhance industrial growth across the state.
The State Governor Bala Mohammed who made the commitment at the REA State-by-State Roundtable Engagement with Bauchi State held in Abuja said effective governance requires strategic collaboration that delivers tangible development to rural communities.
Bala Mohammed explained that the state, being a gateway between major geopolitical zones, offers a conducive environment for renewable energy expansion and economic diversification, stressing commitment to expanding power access as a key driver of business growth and improved livelihoods.
In his presentation, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo who highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive state electricity policy that would establish a regulatory framework and a rural electrification agency revealed that the state is also working to increase budgetary allocation to the energy sector and establish a Bauchi Energy Academy for youth training and job creation.
Aminu Hammayo further explained that Bauchi has geothermal and other renewable energy potentials in strategic areas that can be harnessed to support industrial and commercial activities.
In their separate presentations, the Managing Director of REA, Dr. Abba Aliyu, and the Executive Director, Hon. Doris Uboh, said the roundtable engagement was organized to connect Bauchi to private renewable energy developers who have collectively mobilized over two billion dollars and deployed more than 500 mini-grids nationwide.
They stated that under the project model, REA will provide 60 percent of funding while the state contributes 40 percent which is expected to increase Bauchi’s current 22 mini-grid projects to over 100, supply 2.5 megawatts of electricity to 25 communities, improve security, and expand income opportunities.
The event featured the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Bauchi State Government and the management of the Rural Electrification Agency.