Midweek Update from the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State

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The Niger State Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has in the course of the week under review made significant progress in the implementation of the New Niger Agenda of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, in the power and renewable energy sector.

Within the week, the Ministry participated in the two-day stakeholder engagement on the draft regulations for the Niger State electricity market organised by the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) in Minna. The engagement was on the draft Tariff Methodology Regulations and Mini-Grid Regulations as part of six draft regulatory instruments developed by the Commission to provide a comprehensive framework for the State electricity market.

Speaking through his representative, Engr. Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Suleiman Umar, reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government under the leadership of Farmer Governor Bago to establishing a reliable and efficient electricity market through a robust regulatory instrument, noting that the draft policies are critical to building a sustainable, transparent and consumer-friendly market capable of supporting economic growth.

The Chairman of NSERC, Engr. Mohammed Sharu, FNSE, encouraged participants to critically review the documents and make constructive contributions to strengthen the framework and address the needs of consumers, while the Farmer Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mohammed Gana, and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs, Mrs. Hauwa Dickson Vyada, both underscored the importance of reliable electricity to economic growth and the need for accessible complaint redress channels for consumers.

In the same vein, the Ministry has commenced arrangements for the payment of compensation to beneficiaries affected by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) funded 100MW Solar Energy Development Project located in Maikunkele, Bosso Local Government Area. The Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Suleiman Umar, alongside the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Bello Ahmed Agwara, briefed the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, on the level of preparedness during a stakeholders meeting in Minna attended by the Chairman of Bosso Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Usman Laka, the District Head of Maikunkele, Alhaji Suleiman Abdullahi Dada and other critical stakeholders.

The SSG reiterated the commitment of the Farmer Governor's administration to expanding access to clean and renewable energy and ensuring fairness to affected landowners, highlighting expected benefits of the project to include employment opportunities, cheaper and more reliable electricity, improved economic activities and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for host communities.

The project consultant, Dr. Abubakar Usman Salihu, disclosed that while 161 hectares was initially enumerated, the area was reviewed downward to 126 hectares after adjustments for power line and rail line setbacks, with 67 beneficiaries so far captured with their bank details for payment. Following deliberations, stakeholders tentatively agreed that payment of compensation will commence soon in Minna.

#StrongerTogether 

































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

A.B Makama, Media Strategist



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