The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday revealed that the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has insisted on the review of the issues that influenced its response to the corruption allegation against its staff.
This was contained in the rejoinder against an online publication, which REA Director of Promotions, Mr Muntari Ibrahim issued in Abuja.
According to him, the agency’s silence on the allegation was to deliberately focus on doing the right thing.
The rejoinder noted that REA had closely collaborated with the ministry, National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, and process organizations to initiate further reforms within REA, despite numerous obstacles.
“While the agency may have maintained silence, it was not due to a lack of information but rather a deliberate effort to focus on the right processes, personnel, and a culture that prioritizes doing what is right.
“Over the past few months, we have collaborated closely with the Ministry, National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, and process organizations to initiate further reforms within REA, despite numerous obstacles.
”The Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu directed a thorough committee review of the relevant issues that have influenced the agency’s response to the alleged situation”, the agency stated.
The statement said the agency could confirm that recent publications accurately reflectex that some members of staff had been redeployed, suspended, or were under investigation due to process deficiencies and a prevalent lack of accountability.
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It further noted that the most significant change is the redeployment of the Director of the Funds and Accounts Department – a seconded officer from the Office of the Accountant General.
The allegation levelled against the then director, said the rejoinder was undergoing investigation by the anti-graft authorities including the core REA staff alleged to be involved.
The REA statement insisted that the article to which it reacted marked a significant step forward, as it demonstrated the agency’s commitment to accountability.
According to the rejoinder, the REA under the watch of the Managing Director, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad had from 2020 to date, provided power to over 7.5 million people including 1.5 million households, delivering 130 Mini-Grid Projects, including 1.3 million stand-alone home systems.
Continuing in its stock taking, the statement said the agency had equally deployed over 1,650km of solar street lights, improving power,
security, and economic growth in rural areas.
It said REA completed 1,403 projects under the capital budget, delivering solar street lights,
mini-grid projects, standalone home systems, and grid extension work.
The rejoinder read in part: “Through various programs, including Energizing Education Program, Energizing
65MW of power across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.5. REA has delivered over 500MW of power, electrified numerous communities, created 500,000 new jobs, and attracted over $2 billion in investments in the renewable energy sector over the past decade.
“In advancing these achievements, we have established partnerships with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Global Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sustainable Energy for ALL (SE4ALL), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), the European Union, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Korean Institute of Advancement of Technology (KIAT) among others.
“In 2022, as part of the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NPRGS) Program, REA secured an additional 4 billion in capital injection grants to provide clean power standalone home systems to over 50,000 locations, including rural homes, microbusinesses, schools, and faith-based institutions.
“Most recently, on the back of the success of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), REA negotiated and secured the advance approval of a $750 million facility with the World Bank to expand renewable and rural electrification initiatives, providing additional resources to Nigeria during a challenging period.
“In response to subsidy removal, REA is implementing interventions to develop electric mobility, mini-grids, distribute home systems, and deploy streetlights, potentially supporting up to 250,000 households in the coming year.”
