As part of its response to the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced that it is implementing interventions to develop electric mobility, mini-grids, distribute home systems, and deploy streetlights to 250,000 households by 2024.
This announcement comes as the REA discloses the completion of 1,403 projects under the capital budget, including the delivery of solar street lights, mini-grid projects, standalone home systems, and grid extension works.
The REA made this disclosure in a statement issued by the Director of Promotion, Information, and Outreach, Malam Ibrahim.
According to the agency, from 2020 to date, it has provided power to over 7.5 million people, including 1.5 million households, while delivering 130 mini-grid projects, including 1.3 million standalone home systems.
The agency has also deployed over 1,650 km of solar street lights, improving power, security, and economic growth in rural areas.
In 2022, an additional $4 billion in capital injection grants were secured as part of the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NPRGS) Programme to provide clean power standalone home systems to over 50,000 locations, including rural homes, microbusinesses, schools, and faith-based institutions.
Through various programmes, including the Energising Education Programme, Energising Agriculture Programme, Beyond COVID-19, and Economic Clusters, the REA delivered over 65 MW of power across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
The REA has delivered over 500 MW of power, electrified numerous communities, created 500,000 new jobs, and attracted over $2 billion in investments in the renewable energy sector over the past decade.
Most recently, on the back of the success of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), the REA negotiated and secured the advance approval of a $750 million facility with the World Bank to expand renewable and rural electrification initiatives, providing additional resources to Nigeria during a challenging period.
Regarding various petitions, investigations, and allegations of corruption within the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the agency stated, “While the agency may have maintained silence, it was not due to a lack of information but rather a deliberate effort to focus on the right processes, personnel, and a culture that prioritises doing what is right.”
“The Agency can confirm that recent publications accurately reflect that some members of staff have been redeployed, suspended, or are under investigation due to process deficiencies and a prevalent lack of accountability.
To keep it concise, the most significant change is the redeployment of the Director of the Funds and Accounts Department, a seconded officer from the Office of the Accountant General.
The allegation levelled against the then director is undergoing investigation by the anti-graft authorities, including the core REA staff alleged to be involved. This marks a significant step forward, as it demonstrates the agency’s commitment to accountability.”
The statement stressed that since its establishment in 2006, the REA has faced numerous challenges, including a lack of strategic direction during its initial ten years.
In 2017, a new board and management were appointed, initiating a cultural shift within the agency. Despite these efforts, rural electrification goals remained unmet due to institutional and sectoral challenges.
The statement highlighted that the current leadership of the agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo, upon assumption, initiated a comprehensive institutional assessment and appraisal of the agency, carried out by a globally renowned organisational re-engineering firm.
This assessment rigorously evaluated the agency’s project delivery, institutional structure, and processes to determine its capacity to meet its mandate.
The recommendations from the assessment were meticulously reviewed and approved by the agency’s board and the Minister before being put into action, resulting in significant accomplishments.
To this end, the REA urged stakeholders to join its comprehensive efforts to bring power to unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria and to support the ongoing reforms led by the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and the agency’s leadership.
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