By Christopher Ameh, Bauchi
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for investing in the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Yankari Game Reserve.
Jonathan spoke during an inspection of completed projects at the iconic tourist destination, where Governor Mohammed unveiled a 500KVA solar power plant as part of the state government’s multi-billion-naira intervention in the reserve.
The governor led a delegation comprising Jonathan, members of the state executive council and traditional rulers on an inspection tour of upgraded facilities at Yankari.
Among the projects inspected were the 500KVA solar power plant, renovated Yankari Museum and improved facilities around the Wikki Warm Springs.
According to the state government, the solar power plant is designed to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to the hospitality and administrative facilities within the reserve.
The renovated Yankari Museum has also been upgraded to preserve and showcase historical, cultural and natural heritage artefacts, while the Wikki Warm Springs received improved perimeter works and aesthetic enhancements.
Speaking on the projects, Mohammed said the interventions were part of his administration’s broader plan to reposition Yankari as a world-class tourism destination.
He said the adoption of solar energy would help address the reserve’s longstanding power challenges while reducing operational costs and environmental pollution associated with the use of generators.
“We are repositioning Yankari Game Reserve into a world-class tourism destination,” the governor said.
“By solving the power challenge permanently with clean solar energy, we are reducing high operational costs, protecting the wildlife environment from generator pollution, and ensuring our guests enjoy uninterrupted comfort.”
Mohammed said the projects were also consistent with his administration’s drive to transition key public facilities to clean energy as part of its sustainable development agenda.
He noted that while his first term focused significantly on road infrastructure, with more than 3,000 kilometres of roads completed, his administration was now placing greater emphasis on investments in tourism and the state’s natural resources.
Earlier project briefings by the Bauchi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism indicated that the interventions were projected to create more than 500 jobs for youths and increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
Jonathan commended Mohammed’s focus on what he described as legacy projects, particularly the integration of renewable energy into the development of the tourism facility.
He said the use of clean energy alongside the preservation of the reserve’s historical and natural assets would strengthen Yankari’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
Jonathan said the project represented an important milestone ahead of the proposed Bauchi Investment Summit, where the state government plans to present the solar-powered Yankari Game Reserve as an investment opportunity for concession partnerships.
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