By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has announced an ambitious plan to establish an independent power station to provide uninterrupted electricity to key state facilities, including the Government House, State Secretariat Complex, and State House of Assembly.
The Commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. Surajo A. Musa, made the disclosure while defending the ministry’s 2025 budget proposal before the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
He explained that the proposed power station, using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), would be sited in Dutse as part of the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
He gave a breakdown of the Ministry’s budget to indicate that ₦30b was allocated to the Ministry of Power and Energy,₦10b for the Rural Electricity Board and ₦1.5b earmarked for the Alternative Energy Agency.
Dr. Musa reiterated the fact that Jigawa is championing the domestication of the National Electricity Act, a move that allows the state to harness local resources for power generation and consumption.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Muhammad Na’eem Adamu, lauded the state government for creating the Ministry of Power and Energy.
He expressed confidence that the proposed initiatives would significantly boost the state’s socio-economic landscape.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi has prioritized energy development by establishing the new ministry and signing the Jigawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission into law. The commission is tasked with overseeing the state’s electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply.
The law is aimed at enhancing electricity access for residents, encouraging private sector investments in the energy sector and Promoting the development of diverse energy systems, including grid, mini-grid, and off-grid solutions.
The initiative is expected to leverage renewable and non-renewable energy sources to meet the growing electricity needs of Jigawa State.
The proposed independent power station and the state’s progressive energy policies are set to transform Jigawa into a model for energy efficiency and reliability in Nigeria.
