Working Together to Improve our Lives, Communities and Nigeria

  • REUCS

    Pursuant to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Policy of expanding and providing electricity access to rural communities in order to stimulate socio-economic development, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was established under Part IX Sections 88-92 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005.

    The Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS) is an initiative of the REA that is aimed at mobilizing benefiting communities to achieve sustainability of electrification projects.

    In pursuit of its vision and mandate of achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable electricity, thus improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for unserved and underserved communities, the Agency carries out community engagement exercises and campaigns to mobilize and sensitize rural communities across the country to form Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS).

    For Solar mini grids, solar home systems and solar street lights deployed under appropriation act, rural communities are expected to Own, Operate and Maintain their electricity networks with National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and REA providing the training required to operate such systems effectively and efficiently.

    In respect of Grid Extension Projects, the communities are expected to collaborate with the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in its operations

Goals

The goals of the REUCS initiative are to create a forum and a platform that will achieve the following:

  • To promote community participation in rural electrification projects through training on ownership, operation, maintenance and safety of facility (where applicable)
  • Enable community members to learn about productive usage of electricity as well as educate members on energy conservation and efficiency
  • Ensure community members work together to protect electricity equipment against theft and vandalization
  • To partner with Electricity Distribution Companies and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in their localities for the provision of electricity at an affordable price.
  • Ensure prompt payment of electricity bills by members and also through the cooperative society (where applicable)
  • Encourage all relevant stakeholders to work together to solve community electricity related problems

Sensitized Communities

Sensitized Communities

An appreciable number of 895 sensitized communities has been recorded since the introduction of this initiative in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT Abuja. The breakdown is as follows:

Capital Projects
0
NORTH EAST
0
NORTH WEST
0
NORTH CENTRAL
0
SOUTH WEST
0
SOUTH EAST
0
SOUTH SOUTH

NEP-World Bank

0
SOKOTO
0
OGUN STATE
0
CROSS RIVER
0
NIGER
0
KANO
0
BAUCHI
0
ABIA
0
ANAMBRA
0
ONDO
0
PLATEAU

NEP- AfDB

0
NASARAWA
0
KWARA
0
OYO

 Rural Electrification Fund (REF)

0
EBONYI
0
OYO
0
OGUN
0
AKWA IBOM
0
EDO
0
NIGER
0
KEBBI
0
GOMBE
0
KATSINA
0
PLATEAU (SHS)

Registered REUCS

Registered REUCS
A total of 142 REUCS have been formed and registered under the Capital Projects and Nigeria Electrification Project (World Bank and African Development Bank). The Breakdown is as follows:

Capital Projects

0
NORTH EAST
0
NORTH WEST
0
NORTH CENTRAL
0
SOUTH WEST
0
SOUTH EAST
0
SOUTH SOUTH

Nigeria Electrification Project (World Bank & AfDB)

0
CROSS RIVER
0
SOKOTO
0
KANO

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can be a member? 
Every electricity user in the community

Do I have to pay for the electricity?
Yes, everyone connected user will have a meter, so you pay for only what you use.

Who heads the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative?
Every REUCS chapter will have a President heading the cooperative and assisted by a Secretary, and other executive member charter officials.

How is the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative leadership chosen?
Each member can volunteer and be voted as leaders. All leadership positions are for 2 years and shall be eligible for re-election for another term of two (2) years.

How will Rural Electricity Users Cooperative leaders be trained on electricity and supporting the community?

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in conjunction with our technical partners will train and provide the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society with support

How REUCS Helps

How the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS) Helps the Community

With REUCS, we electricity users:

  • Learn about our rights and responsibilities as electricity users
  • Learn how to pay for the electricity we use
  • Work together to solve community electricity problems
  • Learn how to make our lives better with electricity (Productive uses of electricity)
  • Learn how to save electricity (Energy efficiency and Conservation)
  • Prevent stealing and vandalizing of electricity equipment
  • Work together to support the community

How to Become a Member

How to become a member of the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society

  • Every electricity user in the community is welcome to be a member
  • Become a member through the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society Secretary in your community
  • Application of membership shall be made through the secretary of the cooperative
  • The management committee subject to confirmation at the General Meeting of the society shall admit a member after selection
  • Formal letter of membership shall be issued to each member duly assigned by the secretary of cooperative

REUCS Bye Laws

The REUCS Bye Laws

The Federal Government of Nigeria as well as Private Developers through Public Private Partnership (PPP) have been providing access to electricity by executing various electricity projects in unserved and underserved areas.

And by virtue of the mandate given to Rural Electrification Agency under the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (ESPRA) 2005, there is a need to achieve the buy in of the benefiting communities and sustainability of the electrification projects upon completion. Therefore, there is a need to form Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS) in the communities where such projects are located.

The Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS) Bye Laws provides rules and regulations to guide the operations of registered Cooperative Societies formed for the purpose of ensuring sustainability of electrification projects in unserved and underserved communities across the country.

Click to access full REUCS Bye Laws

REUCS Framework

How to Make a Complaint

To complain about electricity issues:

  • Report to your REUC Secretary
  • Report to the developer/Distribution Company
  • If you are not satisfied, please report to your Community Chief
  • If the problem is unresolved, the REUCS Secretary will inform REA and your problem will be resolved quickly