Enugu State Government promises reliable electricity across rural communities
Reporter: Okechukwu Ezeona
The Enugu State Government says it is committed to expanding access to reliable electricity across rural communities as part of efforts to drive economic growth and attract investments.
Governor Peter Mbah announced this during the signing of grant agreements for the Renewable Energy Development for State Electricity Market project.
He said the initiative aligns with the administration’s vision of making Enugu investment-ready through improved infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
The Governor who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia noted that access to reliable power remains critical to economic development, security, healthcare, education, and improved living standards in rural communities.
He assured investors and development partners of the government’s commitment to providing the necessary regulatory support and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks to ensure the timely completion of the projects.
The Governor called on host communities to protect the facilities and support their successful implementation.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, said that the project would provide electricity to four previously unserved communities, including Okpatu, Ugbawka, Agwunta, and Ijabe, through integrated solar mini-grids funded by the German Agency for Development Cooperation and the Federal Ministry of Power.
He explained that the grant would cover about eighty percent of the project cost, including the procurement of solar panels, batteries, inverters, poles, and other essential equipment, while developers would provide the remaining funding for operations and service delivery.
Also speaking, the Head of Component, Sustainable Energy Investments of the National Energy Support Program, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Joshua Garba, commended Enugu State for its leadership in implementing the provisions of Nigeria’s Electricity Act and developing a functional state electricity market.
He described Enugu as a model for other states and reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union and German Government, to support the state’s energy development efforts.
In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Franklin Enyinna said that the project would contribute significantly to the state’s economic transformation agenda.
He pointed out that the projects would deliver reliable 24-hour electricity to about eight thousand residents across the four communities, boost security, livelihoods, and economic productivity.
