Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has revealed plans by the state government to set up an Energy Commission that will oversee and coordinate energy investments.

Governor Alia made this known in Abuja during the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Roundtable Engagement with Benue State.

The event was held under the theme “From Strategy to Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem.”

He stated that the proposed commission would function as an independent body tasked with coordinating energy projects, attracting funding, simplifying approval processes, and ensuring the effective use of investors’ resources.

The governor noted that the commission would act as a central platform for energy investment in the state, adding that industrial zones and business enterprises would benefit from stable power supply, lower operating costs, and increased investment inflows.

He further explained that schools and hospitals powered by solar energy would experience uninterrupted services, thereby improving the quality of education and healthcare delivery.

Governor Alia also said that the growth of electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport systems would help cut carbon emissions, promote environmentally friendly mobility, and open up new economic opportunities.

He added that the initiatives would generate green jobs, expand access to energy, strengthen climate resilience, and position Benue State as a model for energy-driven industrial growth in Nigeria.

The governor disclosed that the state government also plans to set up a high-level task force to design a comprehensive energy master plan that will identify priority projects and create viable investment opportunities.

According to him, the task force will also provide a framework for renewable energy development and industrial energy solutions, including CNG.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu, said that the agency, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has secured a 750 million dollar project fund.

He explained that the fund would be used to build 1,350 mini-grids to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians, develop 250 interconnected mini-grids, and deploy more than 10 million solar home systems.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Benue State and the REA, accompanied by remarks and commendations from several state officials.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Benue Commissioner of Finance, Hon Micheal Oglegba; the Chief Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha; and Hon Fidelis Unongo, Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, among other dignitaries.