From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) has created no fewer than 1, 151 jobs, while saving 249, 193 tons of carbon dioxide.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), under the Federal Ministry of Power, Danlami Mohammed Kurfi, in Kano on Wednesday.
Kurfi who stated this while briefing Journalists on the implementation level of NEP, explained that, Electricity has been provided for five million Nigerians through 1.022 connections with at least 52MW of renewable electricity generated in the off-grid sphere across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, NEP has five components comprising $213m for a solar hybrid mini-grid project, $75m for standalone Solar Home Systems (SHS), $250m for the Energising Education Programme (EEP) for 15 universities and two teaching hospitals.
He further stated that: “The two others are $20m for Energy Efficient Equipment to fund appliances that can generate funds like pop-corn making machines; and $37m for technical assistance and capacity building.
“Analysis of this shows it has deployed 995,396 Solar Home System (SHS), 67 mini-grid projects, 26 containers of solar energy pack for hospitals, While REA said it received 569 applications from solar power developers, it signed the grant agreement with 267 developers, and seven others for the energizing education power contract projects in seven universities and a teaching hospital”
In his remarks, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Federal Ministry of Power. lauded the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for granting the agency $550 million (N241.8 billion) funds
“The funds were used to provide 52 megawatts of electricity to five million Nigerians through 1,022 connections” he added.
Ahmad noted that out of the $550m NEP fund, REA has disbursed $64.8m to contractors with over $300m commitment made for procurement of equipment for the contractors.
