Rep Member Lauds , Ekiti, REA’s Proposed Off-Grid Power Generation Policy

 

….says MoU ‘II boost job, security, wealth creation

A ranking member of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. femi Bamisile, has described the off-grid power generation being targeted by Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration in Ekiti State, as a reform that will rev up economic development in the state.

The former Speaker, who commended Governor Oyebanji and Rural Electrification Agency(REA), for signing a Memorandum of Understanding to propel the initiative, said such move will cascade development to rural areas through stable electricity supply.

He stated that it is becoming practically unfeasible to rely solely on national grid as a source of power supply in Nigeria, taking cognisance of the fact that the nation generates a paltry of 4,000 megawatts of electricity to power the whole country.

Bamisile, who is representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, gave the commendation, in a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, on Saturday.

Governor Oyebanji, had few days back signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), for the implementation of an off-grid electricity projects across the state.

Bamisile, while reflecting on the step, posited that the MoU, when implemented, will ease the implementation of Public-Private Partnership initiative in the building of more Independent Power Plants(IPP).

Describing power as the pivot of any economy, Bamisile said the current novel action, will automatically accelerate energy access by unserved and underserved communities in Ekiti State to reduce poverty, insecurity and unemployment rates.

He saluted the Governor’s steadfast commitment to power generation in Ekiti State and the spending of over N4 billion by the state government to reconnect over 41 communities that had been in darkness for over a decade back to national grid.

The federal lawmaker, said the foregoing gesture vividly confirmed how desirous the governor was to propel local economy through improved nightlife, security and the growth of the Small and medium scale enterprises.

He pointed out that the hitherto moribund economy in areas like Gbonyin and Ekiti East Local governments, that harrowingly experienced over 10 years of power outage, have started witnessing gradual economic rebirth immediately they were reconnected back to national grid by Governor Oyebanji.

“Likewise, there is now better electricity supply to some major satellite towns and inner cities of Ado Ekiti capital city immediately some government offices like the State Secretariat, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ekiti State University and Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State were removed from national grid and placed on IPP supply mode.

“I am confident that the MoU will radicalise the power generation efforts of government and bring development to rural dwellers.

“Countries like USA, Germany, United Kingdom and other advanced nations are experiencing steady economic growth, because of stable electricity and good security. It wasn’t by miracles.

“If Ekiti government can boost electricity supply, then the ease of doing business will be enhanced and our state shall be better for it”, he said.

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