The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said it has delivered electricity access to over eight million Nigerians under the Nigeria Electrification Project, adding that 17.5 million others are expected to benefit over the next three years.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr Abba Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja while celebrating the Agency’s customer service week.
“There are reports that many Nigerians don’t have access to electricity. But under the Nigeria Electrification Project, we have provided electricity to eight million Nigerians. We also have a programme that is targeting 17.5 million people. So, in three years, 17.5 million people will also be out of darkness,” Aliyu said.
According to Aliyu, the REA’s mandate is targeted at closing this energy deficit by providing electricity to 80 million Nigerians in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in communities distant from the national grid.
“It’s a week that helps us to reflect, to also ask ourselves and determine, hold ourselves accountable and determine the level of service that we are giving customers. Rural Electrification Agency’s mandate is to provide electricity access to over 80 million Nigerians. Which means literally we have 80 million customers.
“So this is a week for us to now sit down and ask ourselves, are we providing this service? Are we providing quality service? Are we providing the service in a timely manner? Are we providing services in a way that our customers can afford it? That is why we are doing this. That is why we are reflecting and asking ourselves. And to the best of our ability, we are happy with the level of what we have achieved.
“The number of mini-grids, the number of access that we have created in the country and the audacious programme that we are now implementing. We are working on that one programme to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians. That is audacious. That is one of the key drives of Mr. President in the drive to create electricity access in Nigeria.”
Aliyu said the agency is implementing solar-powered mini-grids and has already electrified eight universities adding that 42 interconnected mini-grids are planned, with six already operational in Osun, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger States.