Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) to boost sustainable renewable energy access across the country.
Speaking during the MoU signing in Abuja, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, the managing director, REA explained that the partnership is targeted at exploring new approaches to clean energy development for socio-economic impact in post-subsidy Nigeria.
For him, one of the best ways to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria is through the exploitation of opportunities to optimize the critical role of renewable energy.
He said, “The REA – Oando partnership will bring about mutually beneficial collaboration, knowledge exchange and experiences all targeted at achieving the common goal of optimizing renewable energy.
“REA has a history of ensuring whatever kind of financing is available to the REA, there are programmes and initiatives the REA implements that can be used to deliver impact across the nation”.
In his remarks, Alex Irune the President and CEO of Oando Clean Energy Limited stated that the company is committed to renewable energy and excited for the opportunity to create value that the country needs.
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He commended the REA for leveraging the role of the private sector players to deliver on the task of sustainable energy access across the country.
“What the REA has effectively done is to take the bull by the horn and derisk investment opportunities.
“I wouldn’t be signing this MoU today if there wasn’t the enabling environment provided by the REA. I commend the REA on their approaches, programmes and achievements over the years. These approaches are sustainable,” he said.
For Barka Sajou, executive director of technical services at the REA, delivering sustainable energy access across the nation must go beyond just connections and rather serve as an enabler of growth in communities, while targeting electrification projects to people’s sources of livelihood.
“As the Agency continues to play a key role in the nation’s off-grid, renewable energy space, it has maintained a strong history of drawing in private sector investment, facilitating inter-sectorial collaboration and ultimately, aiding the implementation and delivery of fit-for-purpose off-grid solutions nationwide.
” The repositioned REA has, over the years, strengthened ties with key stakeholders in the private sector and the development space.
“Beyond that, the Agency has realigned itself with the state governments through the Nigeria Governors Forum. In line with the mandate of the REA, the state governments continue to play a pivotal role in the Agency’s consistent deployment of people-centred electrification projects,” he said.
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