The people of Talasse in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State are celebrating after getting a 1-megawatt (MW) solar mini-grid project. This new project will benefit about 6,000 homes and businesses in the area.
At the commissioning event on Saturday, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, urged the community to protect the new electricity infrastructure. He warned against vandalism, theft, and other crimes that could harm the project's future.
The minister said this facility is for the community and the generations to come. He warned that destroying or misusing it would rob the residents of its long-term benefits. "These assets have been built for you, for your benefit and for the posterity of generations to come. I urge you to protect them. Do not allow vandals or other criminals to destroy what has been provided for our collective good," he stated.
He pointed out that reliable electricity would help local businesses run better, improve lives, and create job opportunities for young people.
Mr Tegbe praised the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the project developer, the Gombe State Government, traditional leaders, community heads, and others for their support.
He added that this project fits into the federal government’s plan to increase electricity access, boost energy security, and support sustainable development through renewable energy.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya also spoke at the event. He called the commissioning a key achievement in his administration’s goal to provide reliable and affordable electricity to rural areas.
He shared that construction began on November 6, 2025, and the project was finished in less than a year. He noted that Talasse had been without connection to the national grid for over 17 years. This situation limited economic activities and forced residents to depend on costly alternative energy sources.
The governor also mentioned plans for more solar mini-grid projects with a total capacity of 4MW in Akko, Dukku, Funakaye, and Kaltungo local government areas. He said ongoing projects in Filiya and Gelengu are now 90 percent complete.
He stated that the wider rural electrification programme aims to improve electricity access for 80 communities throughout the state.
The governor also mentioned that his administration plans to support rural electrification with useful equipment like rice milling machines, electric flour grinders, and groundnut oil-processing machines. This will help promote agro-processing, lower production costs, and create jobs.
He urged the community to maintain and use the facility responsibly. He asked residents to protect the investment against theft, vandalism, and illegal connections.
Mr Yahaya thanked the federal government, the Rural Electrification Agency, the World Bank, technical partners, and the Talasse community for their contributions to the project.
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