- FG inaugurates the new board of the REA.
- Abdulazeez Musa-Yar’Adua is appointed board chairman.
- Dr Sanusi Oghaire reappointed Executive Director for REF.
The federal government has inaugurated the board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Members of the new board include Abdulazeez Musa-Yar’Adua as board chairman and Managing Director/CEO of the organisation, Mr Ahmad Salihijo. Other members of the board representing the six geopolitical zones include Michael Oluwagbemi (South-west), Chidi Nwogu (South-east), Catherine Ajibike (South-south), Dr Abdullahi Garba (North-west), Dr. Abdul Umar (North-east) and Mohammed Badamasuiy (North-central).
Speaking at the unveiling of the board, the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated that the government would focus on providing energy access to the underserved rural areas. He promised that the government plans to fulfil its 30:30:30 plan that aims to improve power supply to rural communities. The Minister noted that one of the main duties of the new board members would be to ensure that the plan to light up the hinterlands and deploy 30 per cent renewables as part of the 30GW electricity mix 2030 is achieved. The Minister added that although a part-time board, the federal government expected them to give their best to ensure that the agency meets all Key Performance Indices (KPIs).
The Minister noted that the REA is one of the top-performing parastatals under the ministry’s supervision, increasing the rollout of solar off-grid solutions and grid extension to millions of unserved and underserved Nigerians. “Your duty is to make sure our plan to light up the communities come on stream,” he told the new board members. Dr Sanusi Ohiare was also reappointed as the Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) for another five-year term.