In a historic move similar to Oyo state under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Jigawa state, Mallam Umar Namadi has announced the creation of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.
Consequently, the Governor has appointed Dr. Siraja Musa as its pioneer commissioner.
Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen.
The ceremony held in the Council Chambers of the Government House on July 24, marking a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to sustainable energy and infrastructural development.
Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde had during his first tenure in 2019, created a new Ministry named Ministry of Energy in an unprecedented manner. The ministry has since been championing different project to generate independent power for the state including renewable energy.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Namadi highlighted the significance of the new ministry and assured that it is in line with his vision for the state in fulfillment of parts of his electoral promises.
“Today we are making history; we have just sworn in Dr. Siraja Musa as a member of the State Executive Council. Dr. Musa is not new to this government; he has been my technical adviser on power and renewable energy for the past year.”
He further elaborated on the importance of this new ministry, saying, “Why did I say we are making history? For the first time in the history of Jigawa State, we are creating the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy. Fortunately or unfortunately for Dr. Musa, he will be the pioneer commissioner for this ministry.”
Governor Namadi acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing the complexity of establishing a new ministry. “Setting up a ministry is not an easy task, even though I do not doubt your capability and capacity. But I am sure you will need to consult more with your colleague commissioners because this is a different ball game, so you are going to play an entirely different role from your former role,” he remarked.
In his new role, Dr Musa will oversee the integration of various departments previously under other ministries, notably the ministries of Works and the Environment.
As a commissioner, you will join the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, where you will collaborate closely with your colleagues. For example, you will take over all of the Ministry of Works’ electrical departments, as well as the Rural Electrification Agency, which is one of the Ministry’s major components.
“They will all come under your control, so you need to discuss them with the Commissioner of Works. In the same vein, the renewable energy department under the Ministry of Environment will now be under the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy,” Governor Namadi explained.
The governor also announced the creation of a new regulatory body, under the supervision of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, to regulate the distribution and transmission of electricity within the state.
“There will be a new regulatory agency established to oversee the distribution and transmission of electricity in Jigawa State, which is going to be one of the biggest agencies. I urge the commissioner to work round the clock to ensure the successful takeoff and success of the new ministry.”
Dr. Siraja Musa expressed his gratitude for the governor’s trust and pledged to work diligently to serve the people of Jigawa State. Dr. Musa, an esteemed academician with a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in wireless communication and network engineering, has been instrumental in advising the governor on power and renewable energy for the past year.
The establishment of a Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy aligns with the objectives of Governor Namadi’s administration’s 12-point agenda, which goes in tandem with global trends towards sustainability, economic resilience, and technological innovation. It positions the state to effectively address contemporary energy challenges while contributing to global environmental goals and enhancing national socio-economic development.