FG Pledges To Expand Rural Electrification

The Federal Government has promised to take its rural electrification programme to every nook and cranny of the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this, yesterday, while commissioning 100kwp solar hybrid mini grid and the modern market worth N2.2 billion in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Council of Kaduna State.

Osinbajo said: “There is a key focus globally on renewable electrification that we can take advantage of, especially to expand rural electrification in the country, to provide electricity for underprivileged communities.

“This rural electrification approach is laudable and I must commend the state governor for this initiative. We shall continue to expand the rural electrification.”

The VP commissioned the projects in company of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, among other dignitaries.

READ ALSO: Ondo Varsity Vows To Rusticate Students Over Indecent Dressing

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Blue Camel Energy Limited, deploys the solar hybrid mini grid under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) projects.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, who was represented by the Executive Director, REF, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, the solar hybrid mini grid will provide constant and reliable electricity to over 500 shops in the market, one commercial bank, one police station and one fire station.

Before the commissioning, Osinbajo said the plant would not have been possible without the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He said despite the passage of the Electric Power Reform Act in 2005, the activation of rural electrification was only commenced in 2019.