On March 2nd 2020, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with the World Bank, held the 2nd Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) Phase II, a component of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). The event, which hosted over 80 participants in Fraser Suites, Abuja, provided attendees with an end-to-end status on the progress of the Energizing Education Programme II and key requirements for collaboration.
The event had a wide range of participants which included senior management of the REA, representatives of the World Bank, the Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (a pioneer beneficiary university under the EEP phase I), representatives of the 7 selected Federal Universities and 2 affiliated Teaching Hospitals (Federal University Gashua, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Michael Okpara University, Nigerian Defence Academy, University of Abuja, University of Calabar and Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri and Teaching Hospital) representatives of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Ministry of Finance.
The workshop, themed “towards sustainable project implementation” had the objective of fostering continued synergy between the REA, World Bank, NUC and beneficiary institutions, as well as highlight the roles of all relevant stakeholders in ensuring accountability, ownership and sustainability of the Programme.
In his opening remarks, the MD/CEO REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad reiterated his commitment to ensure that the EEP, conceptualized under His Excellency, President Muhammed Buhari’s administration, is brought to fruition. The MD/CEO encouraged all participants to be interactive and seek necessary clarifications as it relates to the programme.
Presentations were made through the course of the event to highlight progress made under EEP phase I, as well as to inform project beneficiaries on the current status of implementation of the EEP phase II and findings on preliminary studies carried out in preparation for the construction phase.
The workshop provided an opportunity for participants, particularly the Project Beneficiaries to provide input and feedback on key legal, financial and governance issues, geared towards sustainability of the proposed Solar Hybrid Power Plant.
The event was deemed a success, as all selected institutions (7 Universities and 2 University Teaching Hospitals) have signed off on the agreed Term Sheets.
