From Joseph Nnorom, in Makurdi
The Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has announced plans by the State to establish an Energy Commission to coordinate energy investments.
Alia disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Rural Electrification Agency, REA Roundtable engagement.
The roundtable had as its theme, “From Strategy to Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem.”
Governor Alia explained that the proposed energy commission would operate as a special, independent vehicle responsible for coordinating projects, mobilising capital, streamlining approvals, and ensuring the efficient deployment of investor funds.
He said, ”it will serve as the one stock platform for energy investment in the state, the impact of these strategies will be transformative.
”Industrial zones and commercial enterprises will gain reliable electricity, reduce operational costs and attract further investments”.
According to him, solar powered schools and hospitals will enjoy uninterrupted services strengthening education and health care delivery as well
The governor said that the expansion of electric vehicles, electric bikes, Compressed Natural Gas CNG power transport would reduce emissions foster a green mobility ecosystem and create new economic opportunities.
He also said, the state will gain access to electricity that drives inclusion, productivity and improved quality of life.
Alia added that these initiatives would create green jobs, deepen energy access, enhance climate resilience and position the state as a benchmark for energy-led industrial development in Nigeria.
The governor intimated that the state would also establish a high power task force to develop the state energy master plan to define priority projects and develop bankable investment pipelines.
Alia said that the taskforce would also create a robust regulatory framework to guarantee transparency, predictability and investor confidence.
He maintained that, the plan is for the task force to also, serve as a blueprint for renewable energy deployment and industrial energy solution such as CNG.
Alia said, “In developing our energy strategy, Benue has carefully studied Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms particularly the decentralisation of electricity generation and distribution enabled by the Electricity Act, 2023.
”Rather than replicate existing national structures, we are deliberately adapting these reforms to suit Benue unique economic profile, industrial ambitions and energy demand patterns.
“While the national grid remains important, the strategy acknowledges its limitations in meeting sub-national and industrial energy needs.
”Benue therefore is designing a complementary decentralised energy model one that reduces dependence on the national grid supports embedded and captive power solutions,”he said.
Alia said that the decentralised energy would enable private investors to efficiently serve industrial clusters , agro-processing zones and off-grid communities.
”By integrating renewable energy gas-based solutions such as CNG, alternative base load options, cold bed methane,
Our state is aligning with national transition objectives while demonstrating how state-level innovation can convert policy reform into real outcomes,” he said.
On his part, Mr Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of REA said that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu the agency got 750 million dollars project fund.
Aliyu ssid the fund is to develop 1,350 mini-grids to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians.
”It is also to develop 250 interconnected mini-grids and deploy over 10 million solar home systems.
Aliyu explained that the gathering was for the governor to invite private investors to access the funds to achieve 100 per cent electrification in the state.
A Memorandum of Understanding which had various remarks and commendation by many state offcials was also signed between Benue State and REA.
