VP Shettima Urges Electricity Agency To Improve Access To Power Supply

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to intensify its efforts in advancing Nigeria’s progress towards achieving universal electricity access, thereby enhancing the power supply available to citizens.

Naija News reports that Shettima made this appeal on Friday during a meeting with a delegation from REA, headed by Managing Director/CEO Abba Abubakar Aliyu, who presented the National Electrification and Implementation Plan (NESIP) to the Vice President at his office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

During the meeting, Shettima approved REA’s proposal to collaborate with the National Economic Council (NEC) to facilitate engagement with state governors, promoting the electrification of communities nationwide.

This is as the agency announced that it has obtained a grant of $750 million from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support rural electrification initiatives throughout Nigeria.

In his remark, Shettima said: “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, who is Chairman of NEC told the REA, delegation, assuring them of maximum support from the Council and the state governors.

“The most startling revelation of this presentation has to do with the correlation between access to electricity and financial inclusion. Hence, I believe our job is cut out for us, and I want to assure you that we are going to partner with your agency so that we can meet the aspiration of the Nigerian people for access to electricity.”

Shettima urged REA to intensify its efforts in providing greater access to electricity for Nigerians.

He praised the agency for its commendable work, acknowledging its contributions across various sectors.

Nigerians Need To Know About Your Initiative – Shettima Tells REA

Nevertheless, the Vice President expressed concern regarding the agency’s performance in public outreach, indicating that it has not effectively raised awareness or informed the public about the initiatives aimed at mitigating the electricity shortfall in the nation.

He said, “I am afraid you need to overhaul your PR management team. People need to know – Nigerians ought to know

“At one point in time, we were getting 5 megawatts from the grid for Borno State. Just one plant is generating 12 megawatts for the University of Maiduguri and the Teaching Hospital. But you have not been publicizing your activities. So, I will ask you to look at your media team and see to it that you get the loudest decibel in the social media space and the traditional media”.

In response to the agency’s proposal for collaboration with NEC and the state governors regarding the electrification initiative, Vice President Shettima instructed the management of the REA to involve Rukaiya El-Rufai, the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, to deliver a formal presentation at one of the NEC meetings.

He emphasized the importance of this engagement to ensure that the governors, who play a crucial role in the effort to electrify our communities, are aligned with the agency’s recommendations.

During his earlier remarks, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, identified four primary funding sources for the agency: the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Electricity Market, which consists of surplus revenue from the liquidator, and grants obtained through partnerships with international development organizations that typically provide funding for various models and concepts within the country.

Aliyu highlighted that prior to his role as Managing Director of REA, he led the project management unit responsible for executing a $550 million REA project financed by the World Bank and AfDB.

He further stated that the agency has successfully obtained approval for an additional grant of $750 million, indicating that the largest public sector-funded project and its implementation are set to begin soon.

He emphasized several electricity initiatives, including the 12-megawatt power plant in Maiduguri, which is expected to be completed and commissioned within the next two months.

He mentioned that this electricity project is currently benefiting the University of Maiduguri and the Teaching Hospital, with plans underway to extend its services to the state’s water treatment facility.

The Managing Director further indicated that the agency’s new management is concentrating on six critical strategic areas, one of which is the National Electrification and Strategic Implementation Plan (NESIP).

This plan provides a framework that aligns with the federal government’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive energy future, while also enhancing coordination among sub-national entities to facilitate the implementation of electrification throughout the nation.