ELECTRICITY: FCT COMMUNITY GETS REA LIGHT AFTER 100 YEARS IN DARKNESS
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After living without electricity for over 100 years, the Rafinzurfi community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) finally received power on Saturday through a 40 Wp Solar Hybrid Mini-grid project by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
During the commissioning ceremony, the Community Head, Yunusa Musa, expressed his people’s joy at having electricity for the first time.
He encouraged the government and the project’s executor, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, to expand the project, offering free land from the community for further development.
The traditional ruler, who noted the community was already using its vigilante group to keep surveillance over the project, vowed to secure it.
He said: “We have been here for over 100 years without electricity.
As this project came we are very happy about it. We are happy to have the light since we never had light before.
“With the provision of this one, the community is now expanding more and more.
“But we appeal to the company and government for extension because we have given them enough land free -of- charge.
“We have the vigilantes which are protecting the solar house day and night so nothing will happen to it.”
Meanwhile, the REA Acting Managing Director, Engr. Abba Aliyu said following the agency’s mandate, the facility has been activated as part of the implementation of the 2nd Call of the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
Represented by Executive Director, Rural Electrification, Engr. Doris Uboh noted that beyond lightening up the community, the project will unlock opportunities for all the people.
He said: “Today, as we officially commission this mini-grid, we are not merely ushering in brighter nights and productive days in this vibrant community. We are unlocking opportunities for all.”
Aliyu said the mandate of delivery electricity to transform lives that has been critical to the agency, because electricity is much more than just a flick of a switch; it is the catalyst for development.
The REA boss noted that the off-grid, renewable energy ecosystem in Nigeria will continue to be a driving force for the Nigerian economy.
He added: “Through the multidimensional impact of the REA’s nationwide footprint, it is evident that our interventions in unserved and underserved communities are serving as catalysts to true sustainable development.
“The energy sector is going through a phase that is unprecedented in the sector’s history and at the REA, we are delighted to be tasked with a mandate that allows us to deliver real solutions to real life problems. Leaning on the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and optimizing the sector’s blueprint as captured in the 2023 Electricity Act passed into Law by His Excellency, we are at a critical stage of our journey towards nation-wide energy access scale-up.
“The Rural Electrification Fund is an efficient and effective tool for sustainable development and, with all sense of responsibility, the new Management of the REA continues to assure Nigerians of strategic implementation of the Fund. The Rafinzurfi mini-grid is a testament to this commitment to Nigeria and Nigerians.”
He revealed that the project is one of the 51 mini-grids to be completed and activated under the 2nd Call of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
Aliyu noted that in the government’s bid to catalyze investment, strengthen public-private-partnerships and deepen energy access project financing, the REA is tasked with the implementation of the REF.
Aliyu added “I am glad to inform you that the 1st Call of the REF aided the delivery of 12 mini-grids and 19,000 solar home systems.”
Also speaking, the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman, Abubakar Giri said the community can now experience what electricity brings from the reliable mini- grid facility irrespective of its geographical location.
Represented by Hon. Mohammed Ibrahim, he prayed the project attracts more investors to Rafinzurfi.
Seeking more government support, he pledged the community will own the project.
The Minister of State for FCT, Hajiya Bunkure said Rafinzurfi will experience transformation like never before.
Mr. Michael Bawa, who represented her was proud of REA for serving the underserved community, urging the community to take advantage of the electricity to improve its social well-being.
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