NEDC approves N100bn solar power project, regional railway, airline to drive North-East growth

•Unveils N30bn MSME Development Fund
•Rolls out 300 electric taxis, electric minibuses, tricycles, larger buses

THE Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), on Thursday, approved a N100 billion investment for the deployment of a 50-mega-watt solar mini-grid programme, alongside plans for a North-East regional railway, regional airline, electric vehicles, healthcare upgrades and N30 billion MSME fund as part of a comprehensive strategy to transform the region into an investment-driven economy.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mohammed Goni Alkali, who gave the hint, in Abuja, during a press briefing, described reliable electricity as the foundation for industrialisation, agricultural processing, healthcare delivery, digital innovation and sustainable economic growth across the region.

Alkali underscored the need to partner with Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and other development partners to achieve universal electricity access in the North-East by 2030, adding that the renewable energy programme would provide electricity to homes, schools, hospitals, markets, industrial parks and small businesses while supporting Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

The NEDC helmsman also unveiled plans for the proposed North-East railway, additional road and bridge projects and the establishment of a North-East regional airline to improve regional connectivity, facilitate business travel, promote tourism, support cargo movement and strengthen trade with neighbouring countries.

He announced the rollout of the commission’s flagship Electric Vehicle (EV) programme, beginning with 300 electric taxis, electric minibuses, tricycles and larger buses as part of a phased deployment of more than 10,000 electric vehicles, supported by charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities across the region.

According to Alkali, the electric mobility initiative will modernise public transportation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, create thousands of green jobs and stimulate investments in charging stations, battery management systems, vehicle maintenance, component supply and fleet operations.

To deepen enterprise development, Alkali disclosed that the Board has approved the establishment of a N30 billion NEDC-Bank of Industry (BOI) MSME Development Fund to provide accessible financing, business development services and capacity-building support for youth- and women-owned businesses, with the objective of creating jobs and strengthening local industries.

In the health sector, he said the commission would procure eight state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla helium-free MRI systems, alongside CT Scan machines, digital X-ray systems, mammography equipment and dialysis machines to improve access to specialised healthcare across the six North-East states.

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He added that other flagship health projects include the upgrade of the Borno Eye Hospital into a modern ophthalmic centre, the establishment of a Fertility Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the expansion of the Community Targeted Social Health Insurance Programme to about 10,000 vulnerable beneficiaries.

Alkali announced strengthened strategic partnerships with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote industrialisation, renewable energy, enterprise development, skills acquisition and community resilience.

According to him, the commission has over the years, concentrated on rebuilding communities affected by insurgency through investments in roads, bridges, schools, healthcare facilities, renewable energy and livelihood programmes, thereby laying the foundation for sustainable development.