Yemisi Izuora
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has taken a fresh step towards accelerating rural electrification across communities in the country.
To sustain and improve on ongoing interventions the Agency has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mercy Corps to strengthen electricity cooperatives towards improved electricity access in Nigeria. The event took place at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja on Thursday, 4th July, 2024.
The MoU aims to Provide Capacity Building and strengthen the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS), Provide Technical Assistance for the Africa Mini-grid Programme – AMP as well as Support in the development of Sustainable Business Model for the Operations and Maintenance of the Korean Energy Project.
The Managing Director/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu while giving his remarks stated that “today’s MoU signing would help to strengthen REA’s drive for sustainability of projects”.
He said “There is a need to always plan for the end of projects and to indeed put in sustainable measures that will drive the continuity of the project post completion.
At REA, the REUCS is the platform used to ensure this sustainability. This platform ensures operation and maintenance of the projects as well as security of the infrastructure and revenue collection.
Mercy Corps through years of expertise under this strategic partnership will help the Agency towards sustaining projects deployed.”
The Country Director or Mercy Corps Nigeria, Ndubuisi Anyawu stated “Today is pivotal for us with this signing with the REA.
It is not just a formality but a spark that ignites partnership. We stand firm with REA’s mandate and envision a Nigeria that no matter how remote has access to electricity that powers homes, education, healthcare and social development.
This MoU represents a powerful partnership that will mobilize communities to form strong cooperatives that will ensure economic growth. We are honored to partner with REA”
This collaboration signifies the willingness and commitment of the organizations in boosting the socio-economic lives of rural communities in Nigeria through provision of electricity.