The individuals of Talasse in Balanga Local Government Area of (*17*)Gombe State have obtained a significant increase in electrical energy provide with the commissioning of a 1-megawatt (MW) solar mini-grid mission anticipated to learn about 6,000 households and companies.
At the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, urged residents to guard the newly put in electrical energy infrastructure towards vandalism, theft and different legal actions that would threaten its sustainability.
The minister careworn that the power was offered for the advantage of the community and future generations, warning that its destruction or misuse may undermine the funding and deprive residents of its long-term advantages.
“These assets have been built for you, for your benefit and for the posterity of generations to come. I urge you to protect them. Do not allow vandals or other criminals to destroy what has been provided for our collective good,” he mentioned.
He famous that dependable electrical energy would assist native companies function extra effectively, enhance livelihoods and create financial alternatives for younger individuals.
Mr Tegbe counseled the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the mission developer, the Gombe State Government, conventional rulers, community leaders and different stakeholders for his or her contributions to the mission.
He mentioned the initiative aligned with the federal authorities’s dedication to increasing electrical energy entry, strengthening vitality safety and selling sustainable improvement by way of renewable vitality options.
Also talking Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, described the commissioning as a milestone in his administration’s drive to develop dependable and inexpensive electrical energy entry to rural communities.
He recalled that building started on November 6, 2025, noting that the mission had been accomplished in lower than a yr.
According to him, Talasse had remained with out connection to the national grid for greater than 17 years, limiting financial actions and forcing residents to depend on costly various vitality sources.
He added that the state deliberate to introduce further solar mini-grid tasks with a mixed capability of 4MW in Akko, Dukku, Funakaye, and Kaltungo native authorities areas, whereas ongoing tasks in Filiya and Gelengu had reached 90 per cent completion.
He mentioned the broader rural electrification programme was anticipated to increase improved electrical energy entry to 80 communities throughout the state.
The governor additionally disclosed that his administration would complement rural electrification with productive-use tools, together with rice milling machines, electrical flour grinders and groundnut oil-processing machines, to advertise agro-processing, cut back manufacturing prices and create employment alternatives.
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He referred to as for correct upkeep and accountable use of the power, urging residents to guard the funding towards theft, vandalism and unlawful connections.
Mr Yahaya counseled the federal authorities, the Rural Electrification Agency, the World Bank, technical companions and the Talasse community for his or her contributions to the mission.
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