VP Shettima Urges REA to Accelerate Electrification Efforts

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to intensify its efforts to expedite Nigeria’s progress towards universal electricity access and enhance power supply for citizens.

In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima granted REA’s request to collaborate with the National Economic Council (NEC) to engage state governors in the nationwide electrification drive.

The REA has secured a significant grant of $750 million from the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) for rural electrification projects throughout Nigeria. This announcement was made during a presentation by REA’s Managing Director/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, to Vice President Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

VP Shettima, who is also Chairman of the NEC, expressed his appreciation for REA’s work but urged the agency to innovate and think big. “To me, I appreciate you, I adore you, I respect you, but we need to think outside the box and we need to think big,” Shettima said. He assured the delegation of full support from the NEC and state governors, highlighting the critical link between electricity access and financial inclusion.

Despite commending REA for its efforts in various sectors, Shettima criticized the agency’s public relations, noting that it has been ineffective in raising awareness about its activities and progress. He advised REA to revamp its PR management to better inform the public, emphasizing the need for increased visibility in both social and traditional media.

Shettima also approved the agency’s collaboration with NEC and state governors, advising REA to involve the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, for a formal presentation at an upcoming NEC meeting. This step aims to secure further support from governors crucial for the electrification initiative.

In his presentation, Managing Director Aliyu highlighted the REA’s four main sources of funding: the World Bank, AfDB, the Electricity Market, and grants from international development agencies. Aliyu, who previously led a $550 million REA project funded by the World Bank and AfDB, noted that the agency is now poised to commence the largest public sector-funded project with the new $750 million grant.

Aliyu also detailed ongoing projects, including a 12-megawatt plant in Maiduguri serving the University of Maiduguri and the Teaching Hospital, with plans to extend the project to the state’s water treatment plant.

He outlined REA’s strategic focus on the National Electrification and Strategic Implementation Plan (NESIP) to align with the federal government’s vision for sustainable and inclusive energy.