At Emir's Palace, Niger Ministry of Power Flags Off Compensation for 100MW Maikunkele Solar Farm

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The commitment of the Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago administration to justice and inclusive development came to the fore at the Emir's Palace, Minna, as the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy commenced compensation payments to landowners affected by the 100MW solar power project in Maikunkele.

The exercise, supervised by the Ministry under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Suleiman Umar, signals the final ground-clearing for the take-off of one of Nigeria's largest solar electrification projects.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-funded project, located in Bosso Local Government Area, sits on 126 hectares in Maikunkele District. The land size was reduced from 161 hectares after technical adjustments for power and rail line setbacks. So far, 67 affected persons have been verified and profiled for payment.

Flagging off the payment, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Muhammad Gana, who stood in for Hon. Suleiman Umar, said the Bago administration under the New Niger Agenda is not only expanding access to clean energy but also ensuring that no community is shortchanged in the process.

According to him, the Maikunkele solar project will unlock cheaper and more reliable electricity, drive revenue, attract investments, create jobs, and deliver Corporate Social Responsibility projects including schools and health facilities to the host community.

The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, represented by the Dalhatun Minna, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Dallatu, commended the State Government for following due process and urged the people of Maikunkele to take ownership of the project.

On his part, the Chairman of Bosso Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Usman Laka, said the project aligns with Governor Bago's vision of youth empowerment and infrastructural renewal, calling on beneficiaries to reciprocate government's gesture with cooperation.

The District Head of Maikunkele, Alhaji Suleiman Abdullahi Dada, dismissed claims of forceful land takeover, stressing that the payment of compensation has laid such fears to rest.

Speaking for the beneficiaries, Musa Jimuti thanked Farmer Governor Bago for keeping to his word and appealed that youths from the area be given priority during construction and operation of the facility.

Also present at the Emir's Palace were top management of the Ministry including the Permanent Secretary of Lands and Survey, Dr. Abdul Hussaini, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Director Renewable Energy, Mallam Hashimu Abdullahi, Director Administration, Engr. Baba Aliyu, Director Electrical, Mohammed Tswanya, Director Finance and Supply, and Ukashi Sabitu, Director Planning, Research and Statistics. Others were QS Shettima Bagudu Aliyu (NIQS), Senior Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner, and the project consultant, Dr. Abubakar Usman Salihu, as well as representatives of security agencies from the Police, DSS and ICPC and legal officers who supervised the process.

The compensation process follows a high-level stakeholders meeting last week where Hon. Suleiman Umar and the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Bello Ahmed Agwara, briefed the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, on the state of preparedness.




























From: Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State 

A.B Makama, Media Strategist


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