North Central Commission Vows To Address Energy Deficit In Communities

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is taking steps to address acute power shortages affecting communities in the region.

The commission said the move, which would be in collaboration with the  Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is aimed at enhancing socio-economic development in the region.

The executive director, corporate services of the commission, Mr. James Uloko, said in a statement in Lafia yesterday that the management had discussed  areas of collaboration with a REA team led by its managing director/CEO, Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, in Abuja.

Uloko stated that both REA and NCDC shared a common vision of enhancing rural transformation, economic prosperity and improving livelihoods through increased access to reliable power.

He said the managing director/CEO of NCDC, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, was represented by the executive director, finance, Prof. Mohammad Bashar Nuhu, at the meeting.

He quoted Prof. Nuhu as emphasising the commission’s determination to make strategic investments in solar energy solutions for essential sectors such as water supply and sanitation, healthcare, agro-processing, irrigation and social infrastructure, particularly in rural cluster development.

Prof. Nuhu added that the commission aims to stimulate industrial growth by supporting MSMEs, artisans and other small-scale enterprises that rely on power to operate and create employment opportunities. He called on REA to support the NCDC with data, technical capacity building and alignment of policies to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource utilisation.

The statement quoted the REA head as acknowledging that energy deficit remained a major challenge in the North Central region, noting that the collaboration with NCDC presented a unique opportunity to implement high-impact energy projects capable of unlocking development across communities.

Engr. Abba disclosed that REA was currently implementing various electrification projects across the North Central states but stressed that more still needed to be done. He highlighted emerging opportunities such as the establishment of solar battery manufacturing hubs and training centers that would build local capacity and create jobs.

He assured of REA’s full support and encouraged both institutions to expedite the process of finalising the MoU to fast-track intervention efforts in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola  Tinubu.

Uloko stated that both REA and NCDC shared a common vision of enhancing rural transformation, economic prosperity and improving livelihoods through increased access to reliable power.

He said the managing director/CEO of NCDC, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, was represented by the executive director, finance, Prof. Mohammad Bashar Nuhu, at the meeting.

He quoted Prof. Nuhu as emphasising the commission’s determination to make strategic investments in solar energy solutions for essential sectors such as water supply and sanitation, healthcare, agro-processing, irrigation and social infrastructure, particularly in rural cluster development.

Prof. Nuhu added that the commission aims to stimulate industrial growth by supporting MSMEs, artisans and other small-scale enterprises that rely on power to operate and create employment opportunities. He called on REA to support the NCDC with data, technical capacity building and alignment of policies to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource utilisation.

The statement quoted the REA head as acknowledging that energy deficit remained a major challenge in the North Central region, noting that the collaboration with NCDC presented a unique opportunity to implement high-impact energy projects capable of unlocking development across communities.

Engr. Abba disclosed that REA was currently implementing various electrification projects across the North Central states but stressed that more still needed to be done. He highlighted emerging opportunities such as the establishment of solar battery manufacturing hubs and training centers that would build local capacity and create jobs.

He assured of REA’s full support and encouraged both institutions to expedite the process of finalising the MoU to fast-track intervention efforts in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola  Tinubu.