Rural Electrification Agency Partners with Agro-Processing Zones for Affordable Energy
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) Program have entered into a significant memorandum of understanding aimed at delivering affordable energy solutions to all SAPZ sites across Nigeria. This collaboration marks a pivotal step toward enhancing the agricultural landscape in the country.
Vice President Highlights the Transformative Potential of the Agreement
During the signing ceremony held at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kassim Shettima emphasized the agreement’s potential to elevate agricultural productivity and enhance the quality of life in rural communities. He underscored that the synergy between REA and SAPZ could foster substantial economic growth.
Scope of the Agreement and Beneficiaries
This agreement encompasses joint assessments, technical support, and energy deployment through REA’s Desert to Power initiative. According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, it will impact approximately 25,000 households, 13 healthcare facilities, and over 103,000 direct beneficiaries within each designated area.
Government’s Support for Agricultural Partnerships
Speaking at the event on behalf of President Shettima’s Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadeziah expressed the Federal Government’s enthusiastic endorsement of this partnership. He called for further collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s potential, particularly in the agricultural sector, while praising the REA management’s commitment to the initiative.
Advancements in Agricultural Infrastructure
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture, remarked that the collaboration between the African Development Bank, the Federal Ministry of Power, and REA represents the dawn of transformative achievements in agricultural infrastructure. He indicated that the program not only aims to address the infrastructural deficits but also seeks to improve the livelihoods of farmers in alignment with the New Hope Agenda.
Commitment to Sustainable Energy Solutions
Mahmuda Manman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the goals of the REA-SAPZ partnership, expressing dedication to advancing the government’s broader ambitions within the power sector. REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu showcased the agency’s extensive project portfolio, highlighting the completion of 424 mini-grid electrification projects nationwide, with an additional 693 projects currently underway.
Addressing Energy Challenges in Agricultural Development
Dr. Kabir Yusuf, SAPZ National Program Coordinator, noted that energy supply is a critical factor for the successful rollout of the program. He expressed optimism that the introduction of mini-grids under the REA-led initiative would enhance the economic viability of production centers while ensuring a consistent electricity supply for communities near the SAPZ sites.
Formalization of the Partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding
The event culminated in the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the electrification of SAPZ sites as part of the Nigeria Desert Power Initiative. This flagship agricultural initiative, backed by the African Development Bank, aims to consolidate agro-processing activities in designated regions across Nigeria. The program aspires to mitigate post-harvest losses, enhance the value of raw products prior to export, and create rural employment opportunities by situating processing infrastructure closer to farming communities.
