By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Rural Electrification Agency, REA, has signed two deals with two developers for the supply of off-grid electricity to over 7,000 customers in Jigawa and Nasarawa states through the Nigeria Electrification Project, NEP.

The grant agreements which will be funded by the African Development Bank, AfDB, were signed by REA, and ACOB Lighting Tech. Ltd and Offgrid Electric Ltd.

A statement by NEP in Abuja said the agreement signalled a transformative leap forward in bolstering off-grid power generation in Jigawa and Nasarawa states, adding that approximately 7,747 customers across various localities in these states will gain access to an estimated 3,454Kv PV capacity.

It stated that with an average daily load of 9,044kWh/day and 4,633kWh/day for Jigawa and Nasarawa states, respectively, the project is poised to deploy hybrid mini-grid solutions across 21 sites in Jigawa state managed by Off-grid Electric Ltd and five sites in Nasarawa State managed by ACOB Lighting Tech. Ltd.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Head of NEP’s Project Management Unit, Abba Aliyu, expressed optimism about the agreement’s positive impact.

According to him, “The signing of the grant agreement commits the developers to deliver within the stipulated timeframe. We anticipate them delivering the quality and quantity enshrined in the contract within the agreed period”.

Mr. Aliyu also urged developers to leverage the opportunities presented by MST projects to create a linkage by promoting productive use of equipment within communities, emphasizing that creating a nexus between the Minimum Subsidy Tender and PUE, both funded by the AfDB, will enhance the sustainability of mini-grids and further facilitate rapid socio-economic development in communities, aligning with the project’s objectives.

In his remarks, the CEO of ACOB Lighting Tech. Ltd., Mr. Alexander Obiechina, expressed his gratitude and a firm commitment to fulfilling all contractual obligations, stating that “this is a significant achievement for us. The location and proximity of this project to Abuja give us very high visibility. We hope the cooperation we’ve received from you will remain sustained”.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Offgrid Electric Limited, Khalis Muhammed, projected that with the careful management of the facility, the lifespan of the project would experience quality longevity of even up to 20 years or more.

He stated: “By God’s grace, we’ll deliver within the deadline and build something with a lasting and sustainable impact for the next 20 years and beyond”.

The NEP said the developers met the stringent prerequisites for participation under the Minimum Subsidy Tender (MST) sub-component, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the leadership of Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.