How Delta’s Renewable Energy Drive Will Create Thousands of Jobs – Aniagwu ~ Truth Reporters

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has said the state’s push for renewable energy will not only transform rural communities but also create massive job opportunities across various sectors.

Speaking at the sidelines of the 14th State-by-State Roundtable Engagement between the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Delta State stakeholders, held Wednesday in Abuja, Aniagwu said access to affordable and sustainable power would integrate rural dwellers into the state’s economic mainstream.

According to him, electrifying rural communities with solar and other renewable energy solutions will empower small businesses, cut costs, and boost productivity. 

“Imagine a barber, hairdresser, vulcanizer, or dry cleaner in a rural community who no longer has to waste scarce resources buying and servicing generators. That money is saved and reinvested in their businesses. It’s a direct path to job creation and poverty reduction,” he explained.

Aniagwu further noted that renewable energy deployment would improve critical social services. 

He said schools, hospitals, and community facilities currently operating in darkness would benefit from reliable electricity, reducing insecurity, protecting infrastructure from vandals, and enhancing service delivery. 

“With powered health centres, vaccines and drugs can be stored properly, operating theatres can function effectively, and schools can have light for libraries and digital learning,” he added.

The Commissioner stressed that renewable energy offered a cheaper and safer alternative for far-flung communities not connected to the national grid. 

He said stand-alone solar mini-grids would eliminate the need for expensive transmission lines and reduce the risks of vandalism to power infrastructure.

Aniagwu assured that Delta had already started deploying renewable energy in some hospitals and was ready to scale up with support from investors who had signaled interest at the Abuja roundtable. 

He emphasized that the initiative would prevent rural communities from being left behind in the state’s economic growth trajectory.

“This is about inclusiveness,” Aniagwu said. “We are determined to ensure our rural brothers and sisters are not just spectators but active participants in Delta’s economy. Renewable energy is the bridge that will make this happen.”