By Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda recently passed a ‘vote of confidence’ on the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in the delivery of sustainable energy infrastructure in the country.
He stated this at a roundtable convened in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).
The highlight of the Roundtable was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the REA and the Katsina State Government.
Radda, while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the REA, reaffirmed his commitment to providing the needed support for the growth and efficiency of the REA’s RESCO model.
The governor, who craved a long-term strategic relationship aimed at scaling up the deployment of decentralized solar power generation and distribution projects in the State added:
“This will bring about a long-term strategic relationship for scaling the deployment of decentralized solar power generation and distribution projects in the State, through the REA’s Renewable Service Companies (RESCOs).
“The MoU will also enable the REA deepen support to the State Government, ensuring successful planning, implementation and post-implementation of the electrification projects targeted at unserved and the under-served communities; targeted energy solutions to MSMEs in the state; facilitation of private sector investment as well as capacity building for Katsina State local stakeholders.
“The Roundtable served as a platform for the REA to mainstream its programmes and data-driven initiatives to critical stakeholders, while charting a new course for improved investment, manpower development, sustainability and technology optimization in the clean energy sector.
“The nation’s new legislation, the 2023 Electricity Act as well as the National Electrification and Strategy Implementation Plan (NESIP) has further opened up opportunities for collaborative engagements targeted at the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda for social and economic growth for all Nigerians.
The Governor explained further that beyond powering businesses through KASEDA, “the State is powering dreams and aspirations of Nigeria MSMEs, saying MSMEs are the backbone of the economy.
“By working with the REA, we aim to establish a sustainability framework that guarantees long-term functionality and effectiveness. Going forward, every project must include a clear sustainability structure, complete with local capacity, community ownership, and regular performance monitoring.
“With the support of the REA, we can achieve energy sufficiency, drive MSME development, and uplift the lives of our people. Our ongoing wind energy project in the State is a promising initiative, and we are eager to concession it.
“To expedite this process, we will rely on the REA's active role in providing technical advice and support to ensure the concession is concluded efficiently. His Excellency, the Governor, assured the Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) of his administration’s commitment to ameliorating the sector’s pain points, while derisking the business landscape in Katsina for wider investments.
“While setting the tone ahead of the productive conversations at the Roundtable, the Managing Director/CEO of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu explained that “the REA has sustained its efforts on sector coordination, while exploiting data-driven strategies for renewable energy scale-up across Nigeria”.
While re-echoing the Executive Governor’s message, the Director General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Hajiya Aisha Aminu Abdullahi-Malumfashi, explained that KASEDA has refocused its strategy towards powering MSMEs sustainably to drive youth participation in entrepreneurship.
She emphasized the central role of clean, sustainable energy in the acceleration of the State’s business climate, adding that “the Roundtable with the REA is coming at a critical time when KASEDA is exploring a range of result-oriented programmes and initiatives in line with the futuristic ideas of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, targeted at shaping the energy access landscape in Katsina State”.
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