RURAL ELECTRIFICATION FUND
Press Release
October 31, 2019
AKPABOM COMMUNITY WELCOMES SOLAR ELECTRICITY
Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria – On October 31, 2019, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its Implementing Agency – Rural Electrification Agency (REA), commissioned a 100KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant in Akpabom Community, Onna Local Government Area. The project, which is the third to be commissioned under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), will provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity for the community members.
The REA Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its developmental goals by providing electricity access for all. Reiterating REA’s role, she stated that “as an agency, we are responsible for powering unserved and underserved communities, therefore, it is fulfilling every time homes, businesses, schools and medical centres are connected to sustainable solar power. Almost immediately, we are able to witness rural communities being transformed with clean energy through the jobs that are created during construction, to their micro and small businesses scaling to larger capacity thanks to reliable electricity.”
The Head of Oniong Clan in Akpabom, His Royal Highness Obong Barr. Samuel Johnson Efik, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the private sector developer for providing electricity to their small community. “Our businesses are now fully operational; especially at night. Our fishermen are able to preserve their fish and businesses, in general, are growing. Today is indeed the beginning of better things to come for Akpabom.”
GVE Projects Limited Chief Executive Officer, Ifeanyi Orajaka, shared that the installed mini grid comprising a total of 306 solar panels and a distribution network cable of 5.5KM will adequately energize the community. He also mentioned that fifty-eight jobs were created as a result of local labour. “It is a thing of pride that GVE, an indigenous Nigerian firm, can be a part of developing Nigeria’s rural areas. Thanks to this project, Nigerian solar developers, like myself, can access these investment opportunities and participate in growing Nigeria’s evolving off-grid sector.”
Akpabom Community now joins Upake (80KW) in Kogi State and Kare-Dadin Kowa and Tsulaye (98.8KW) in Kebbi state in experiencing social and economic progress thanks to the solar mini grids project under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
ABOUT REA
The Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities. The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) provides equitable access to electricity across Nigeria to maximize the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants, to promote off-grid electrification, and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification. REF projects are administered using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The first call of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) will energize twelve communities with solar mini grids and deploy 19,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS).
ABOUT AKPABOM COMMUNITY
Akpabom is a community in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State with a population of over 2,000 people. Economic activities include fishing, cassava farming, palm fruit farming and micro trading.
Media Enquiries
Ayang Ogbe
Director of Promotions (Information and Outreach)
+2348092292277 | ogbe.ayang@rea.gov.ng
@realREANigeria |@REANigeria
info@rea.gov.ng
www.rea.gov.ng
