from YUSUFU IDEGU, Jos –
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has advocated for rural electrification in communities in the state through the deployment of solar mini grid system.
In a statement by the Director of Press, Gov Lalong made the case for mass electrification of his state rural communities when he led a state delegation to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Governor Lalong who was received by the Managing Director Engr. Ahmad Salihijo and his management team, commended the Agency for carrying out the 234 KWp Shemankar solar mini grid that has become a successful venture in lighting up communities and improving the lives of the people.
He said his visit to the REA was to make another passionate appeal for a solar mini-grid deployment to Ajikamai, the community hosting the newly established Federal Polytechnic N’yak, Shendam LGA of Plateau State.
According to him, as the new polytechnic takes off, power is a major challenge because currently, the area is not connected to the national grid.
While appealing for urgent intervention, he said “Specifically, we shall appreciate if the REA program through the World Bank/Central Bank CARES initiative can be extended to the newly established Plateau State Energy Corporation as a means to enable the state government’s desire to deliver power to the polytechnic and surrounding communities through the off-grid energy approach.”
Governor Lalong said Plateau State energy sector is undergoing reforms with the establishment of the Plateau State Energy Corporation which is being positioned for synergy and policy implementation. He craved the assistance of REA in equipment supply and technical capacity building for the new corporation.
He urged the agency to partner with the Plateau State Government in expanding NESCO’S power generation capacity both in the existing hydro or exploring other renewables.
Responding, Managing Director REA Engr. Ahmad Salihijo appreciated the governor for the visit and assured him that the agency would be captured under various programmes that are ongoing.
He cited the interventions that would soon be done in 3 markets in Jos namely: Building Materials, Rukuba Market and Katako. Other initiatives that the state is expected to benefit from are the Solar Power Naija program which has five communities. Others already implemented are the 5KW Health Centres project in five primary healthcare centres in the State under COVID-19.
Engr. Salihijo appealed to the governor to nominate a state focal person that would liaise with the REA in carrying out some of the requests presented to the agency.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong interacting with the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo during a visit to the agency in Abuja.
Leave a Reply