Rural Electrification gets 19,000 Solar Systems
Rural electrification in some parts of the country has been boosted with the provision of 19,000 solar home systems through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Speaking during the commissioning of a 100KWP solar-powered off-grid electricity system in the community, Managing Director, REA, Ahmad Salihijo, said the government would pursue the provision of clean, safe, and reliable energy, using the first set of grants through the Federal Government’s REF.
Salihijo said: “REF is Federal Government’s initiative, implemented by the REA to promote off-grid electrification and ensure that electricity is equitably distributed across Nigeria. Therefore, interventions, such as these, are being delivered across all zones.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration understands the nexus between reliable energy and development. To deliver on our mandate, interventions such as this are designed to deliver the energy needs of Nigerians and enhance the socio-economic status of beneficiary communities.”
He said the initiative would ultimately boost productivity and provide jobs in the community, especially spurring entrepreneurial skills and resourcefulness of the people, adding that quality of lives would improve and children would have better learning experiences with access to reliable electricity.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Oladotun Taiwo, emphasised the need to leverage novel technologies to aid the availability of reliable and sustainable electricity in Nigeria.
