N100 billion renewable energy initiative gets green light from NEDC for North-East region

The North East Development Commission has given the green light to a massive investment of about N100bn in a 50-megawatt solar power project, aimed at bolstering electricity supply across the North-East, with power being the region's most pressing need for economic recovery and growth.

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This was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mohammed Alkali, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he outlined the commission's transition from recovery to expansion under its regional master plan.

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Alkali revealed that the NEDC board had approved the immediate commencement of the project, which will utilize modular solar-powered electricity systems to provide power to schools, hospitals, markets, and other critical public infrastructure across the six states of the North-East.

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The project is part of the commission's third phase of development, focusing on expanding economic opportunities after years of stabilization and reconstruction, according to Alkali, who noted that inadequate electricity remains a significant obstacle to development in the region.

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An estimated 61 per cent of residents in the region lack access to power, prompting the board to resolve to take swift action, with Alkali stating, "The board thought and came up with the resolution that we must do something as quickly as possible because without power, we cannot do anything.

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The commission has opted for modular solar-powered systems instead of conventional electricity infrastructure to ensure communities can directly benefit from reliable power, with Alkali explaining that this approach will help create a good value chain and support the ecosystem.

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Electricity is crucial for sustaining investments already made by the commission in education, healthcare, and commerce, according to Alkali, who said, "We have built schools, without power, those schools cannot function, we have built health centres, without power, they cannot work, we have built markets, they need power.

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The commission also plans to promote electric mobility in the region by deploying 10,000 solar-powered electric tricycles and buses assembled in Nigeria, an initiative approved by President Bola Tinubu, which is expected to create jobs for young people and support clean transportation.

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Alkali stated that the electric vehicles will be supported by charging stations powered through the proposed solar energy network, and the initiative will also provide an opportunity for youths to acquire engineering skills through the assembly and maintenance of the vehicles.

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Beyond energy, the commission has achieved over 80 per cent of its stabilization and renewal targets under the North-East Recovery and Development Master Plan, with notable achievements including the completion of over 300 kilometres of roads and the construction of about 150 bridges.

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The commission has also installed more than 100,000 solar streetlights and delivered over 500 solar-powered boreholes, with a target of about 1,000 before the end of the year, according to Alkali.

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Alkali also revealed that the commission has increased access to advanced healthcare by expanding the number of MRI machines in the region from one functional unit to eight, a significant improvement for the region's population of almost 28 million people.

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The NEDC boss expressed optimism that ongoing investments would redefine the region's image, stating, "Very soon, the North-East will no longer be defined by the past, but by the promise of the future."

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Additionally, Alkali disclosed that the commission is considering reviving rail transport in the region, as part of its efforts to drive growth and development in the North-East.