By our Correspondent
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, have flagged off the construction of three interconnected mini-grid projects in Kofare, Saminaka and Mbamba communities, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s drive to expand access to clean and reliable electricity.
The projects, being implemented under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme, will deliver a combined 13.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to underserved communities, providing reliable electricity to thousands of residents and businesses.
The initiative is part of a broader rollout of 39 interconnected mini-grid projects across Adamawa State with a total generation capacity of nearly 27MW.
When completed, the projects are expected to provide electricity to more than 40,000 households, about 6,000 businesses, and over 100 schools and healthcare facilities, significantly improving access to power while stimulating economic activities in rural communities.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Tegbe described the projects as a practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, anchored on strategic investments, sustainable infrastructure and partnerships aimed at expanding energy access across the country.
He said the deployment of interconnected mini-grids would not only improve electricity supply but also promote enterprise development, enhance healthcare and education services, and improve the overall quality of life in benefiting communities.
The minister urged residents of Kofare, Saminaka and Mbamba to take ownership of the facilities by protecting them against vandalism and other criminal activities, stressing that community participation would be crucial to the long-term sustainability of the projects.
He also commended Governor Fintiri, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), development partners and other stakeholders for their collaboration in delivering the projects, expressing confidence that the initiative would accelerate socio-economic development across Adamawa State.
The DARES Programme is one of the Federal Government’s flagship renewable energy initiatives designed to expand electricity access through off-grid and interconnected mini-grid solutions, particularly in underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria. (GSF)
