No fewer than 52 communities in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State are set to benefit from a solar mini-grid project initiated by the state government, bringing an end to over a decade of electricity outage in the area.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya disclosed this on Saturday during the commissioning, inspection, and groundbreaking of projects in Shongom and Kaltungo local government areas.
According to the governor, many of the affected communities have been without electricity for more than 10 years.
“We are laying the foundation for the mini-grid today. For over 10 years, this area has not had electricity. In the coming months, you will have your own mini-grid. Gombe State now has a regulatory commission in charge of generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity,” Yahaya said.
“We have about 52 communities that will be powered using this grid. We urge residents to safeguard government property within their domains,” he added.
The governor explained that his visit was also aimed at inspecting ongoing developmental projects and laying the foundation for the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) secretariat.
“The main reason for coming today is to inspect developmental projects being executed by this administration and to lay the foundation for the LCDA secretariat, which will serve as the primary engine to drive development to the nooks and crannies of our state,” he stated.
Yahaya said the creation of LCDAs in Gombe was inspired by the example set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
“We saw a good example from our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he was governor of Lagos State. He created Local Council Development Areas even against opposition from the Federal Government. Constitutionally, states have the right to follow due process to establish LCDAs. That is what we have done with the approval of the Gombe State House of Assembly. These LCDAs will eventually transform into Local Government Areas and bring development closer to the rural masses,” he said.
He urged residents to cooperate with the government to ensure the success of the projects.
“I want to urge the people to cooperate, understand, and support this initiative so that together we can deliver on this Herculean task,” the governor added.
Earlier, the Chairperson of Shongom Local Government Area, Fatima Bello, commended the state government for prioritising development in the area.
“Since the creation of Shongom, no other governor has prioritised the progress of the LGA like the current administration,” she said.
The governor also inaugurated a Computer-Based Test centre for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the area.
During the visit, he inspected an ongoing road project linking three districts through Gundale to the boundary with Taraba State. He appealed to the contractor to ensure timely completion.
“Residents of the districts leading to the Taraba State boundary have suffered due to the condition of this road. The contract is valued at N5.3 billion, including additional works. We are committed to completing the project, and I have directed the company to finish the road before the onset of the rainy season,” Yahaya said.
