By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has commenced the development of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, ruling out any plan to increase electricity tariffs.
Tegbe announced this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which are expected to enhance electricity supply to communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
According to a statement on Thursday, the projects include the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, backed by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
The minister said the initiative would improve access to reliable electricity for households and businesses, reduce reliance on generators and stimulate economic activities, investment and job creation in the benefiting communities.
He explained that the projects aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity access through strategic investments in the power sector.
According to him, similar interventions, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), have been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
Tegbe acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank, which provided financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the initiative.
He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation, particularly acknowledging the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
On concerns about a possible increase in electricity tariffs, the minister dismissed the reports, insisting that the Federal Government had no intention of raising electricity prices.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, describing them as misinformation, and maintained that the government’s focus was on improving power supply and working towards uninterrupted electricity nationwide
