Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has announced plans by the state government to establish an energy commission to coordinate energy investments and accelerate development in the sector.
Alia disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the Rural Electrification Agency Roundtable Engagement with Benue State.
The roundtable was held under the theme, “From Strategy to Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem.”
The governor explained that the proposed energy commission would function as a special, independent vehicle charged with coordinating projects, mobilising capital, streamlining approvals and ensuring the effective deployment of investor funds.
”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,” he said.
According to him, solar-powered schools and hospitals would enjoy uninterrupted power supply, thereby strengthening education and healthcare delivery across the state.
Alia added that the expansion of electric vehicles, electric bikes and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transport would help reduce emissions, promote a green mobility ecosystem and open up new economic opportunities.
He said the initiatives would also improve access to electricity, drive inclusion, boost productivity and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
The governor further noted that the programmes would create green jobs, deepen energy access, enhance climate resilience and position Benue as a reference point for energy-driven industrial development in Nigeria.
Alia also revealed plans to set up a high-power task force to develop the state’s energy master plan, identify priority projects and create bankable investment pipelines.
He said the task force would be responsible for developing a robust regulatory framework that guarantees transparency, predictability and investor confidence.
“The plan is for the task force to also serve as a blueprint for renewable energy deployment and industrial energy solution such as CNG.
“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,” he said.
According to the governor, while the national grid remains important, it has limitations in meeting sub-national and industrial energy requirements.
”Benue, therefore, is designing a complementary decentralised energy model; one that reduces dependence on the national grid, and supports embedded and captive power solutions,” he said.
He explained that the decentralised energy approach would allow private investors to efficiently supply power to industrial clusters, agro-processing zones and off-grid communities, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
”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.
Earlier, the Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu, said that the agency, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, had secured a 750 million dollar project fund.
According to Aliyu, the fund is aimed at developing 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,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the engagement provided an opportunity for the governor to invite private investors to access the funds as part of efforts to achieve 100 per cent electrification in Benue.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Benue State and the Rural Electrification Agency during the event.
