The Benue State Government has intensified efforts to attract investments into its power sector, presenting its renewable energy potential and electricity reforms to local and international investors at a high-level forum organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Federal Ministry of Power in Lagos.
The representative of the Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Commissioner for Power, Transport and Renewable Energy, Hon. Joseph Ter Ijir, joined stakeholders and development partners to outline the state’s vision for expanding rural electrification, renewable energy, and sustainable electricity infrastructure.
He said the recent establishment of the Benue State Electricity Regulatory Commission has created a legal and regulatory framework that will enable private sector participation in electricity generation, distribution, and investment.
During the forum, the Director of Engineering Services at Idealab Agency Ltd, Engr. Polycarp Tersoo Andura, urged international investors and development agencies to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Benue’s renewable energy sector.
The Director advocated stronger collaboration among the Benue State Government, the Federal Government, the Benue State Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) to ensure effective regulation, certification, and implementation of power projects.
He noted that enhanced institutional cooperation would improve investor confidence and accelerate electricity access across the state.
The Engineer also encouraged Benue State to collaborate with Enugu State in order to adopt successful models of electricity sector reforms and renewable energy development.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Hon. Ijir assured prospective investors that Governor Alia’s administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investment in solar energy, rural electrification, and power infrastructure.
He said Benue is prepared to begin electricity generation and distribution under the new regulatory framework, describing the reforms as a major step toward improving energy supply and driving economic growth.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Idealab Agency Ltd, Ambassador Rex Emmanuel Aondoakaa, called on the state government to leverage financing opportunities available through the World Bank investment team.
He urged Benue to meet the equity contribution requirements needed to access funding from the YIELD Group under the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) Venture Capital Private initiative, which supports greenfield power and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects.
According to him, accessing the funding would boost infrastructure development, create jobs, and strengthen Benue’s position as an attractive destination for renewable energy investment.
The investment forum concluded with renewed optimism over Benue’s electricity sector reforms, with stakeholders expressing confidence that sustained collaboration with development partners and private investors would help deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity across the state.
