REA MD, Ahmad, commends Tinubu on subsidy removal, lists renewable energy as a perfect palliative

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engineer Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his quick strategic reform in the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

For the REA CEO the purpose of national economic reform such as the one on fuel subsidy removal was to change the structure and overall direction of Nigeria’s economy to create capacity in dealing with many tragic problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country.

However, as Nigerians react to the removal of petroleum subsidy, Engineer Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, preferred a solution to overcome the pains of the removal of petroleum subsidy, saying that Nigerians should optimise the renewable energy solution.

In a statement, the agency’s MD said that 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.

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While signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oando, Ahmad expressed his delight about REA – Oando partnership, saying that it will bring about mutually- beneficial collaboration, knowledge exchange and experiences, all targeted at achieving the common goal of optimising renewable energy.

“REA has a history of ensuring whatever kind of financing is available to the REA. There are programmes and initiatives REA implements that can be used to deliver impact across the nation,” he said.

While commending REA for its approach to understanding and leveraging the role of the private sector players to deliver on the task of sustainable energy access across the country, the President and CEO of Oando Clean Energy Limited, Dr Alex Irune stated that Oando is keen on renewable energy and is excited for the opportunity to create value that the country needs.

He expressed his confidence in the collaboration with REA, while explaining that what REA has effectively done is to take the bull by the horns and derisk investment opportunities.

“I wouldn’t be signing this MoU today if there wasn’t the enabling environment provided by REA. I commend REA on their approaches, programmes and achievements over the years. These approaches are sustainable,” he said.

While explaining the agency’s paradigm shift on the delivery of fit-for-purpose electrification projects, the Executive Director, Technical Services, REA, Engineer Barka Sajou said that 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.

Meanwhile, the MoU signing aims to boost collaboration between the private sector and government agencies towards the deployment of sustainable renewable energy access across the country. This signing is a result of the success of the investor matchmaking event.

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. (Veracity Desk)