On Monday, the Federal Government commissioned two hybrid mini-grids with a combined capacity of 200 kW for the Oloyan and Sule Camp communities in Ovia South Local Government and Ovia North East of Edo State, respectively. The project was undertaken by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The Oloyan community will benefit from 100 kW of electricity after 21 years without power, while the Sule Camp community will receive 100 kW of electricity after 30 years of being unserved.
During the commissioning, REA Managing Director Abba Abubakar Aliyu stated, “The mini-grid is one of many being developed across the nation through the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund.”
He added, “The Rural Electrification Fund remains a key mechanism of the Federal Government, designed to enable developmental impact in rural communities through the provision of sustainable energy access.”
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Represented by the agency’s Executive Director Doris Uboh, Aliyu noted that rural communities across the nation are hindered by energy poverty, which necessitates new solutions.
“In citing the mini off-grid, REA took into consideration the economic viability of the community, including the critical agricultural activities seen across the community,” Uboh explained. “It is evident that our interventions in unserved and underserved communities are serving as catalysts to true sustainable development, in line with the objectives of the Federal Government. The off-grid, renewable energy ecosystem in Nigeria will continue to be a driving force for the Nigerian economy.”
“The commissioning of the two mini-grids in Oloyan and Sule Camp communities brings the total number of mini-grids in the state to three, following the commissioning of one in Adebayo community two years ago,” Uboh added.
A committee composed of community members has been established to oversee the project and provide security.
Uboh noted, “The agency focused on rural communities because urban areas had received much attention while rural areas had been abandoned or neglected for too long. The project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, which aims to focus on communities that have long been neglected. The benefitting communities have existed for 21 and 30 years without electricity.”
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki commended the REA for its dedication to providing sustainable energy solutions to communities within the state.
