From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has announced the commencement of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, while again dismissing reports of a planned increase in electricity tariffs.
Tegbe made the announcement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects designed to improve electricity access across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas of the state.
The projects comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system. According to the minister, the initiative will improve supply to homes and businesses, reduce dependence on generators and create a more favourable environment for investment and job creation.
He also described the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand electricity access nationwide, noting that similar interventions supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had been implemented in Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna States.
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The minister acknowledged the contributions of REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank which provided financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, while commending the Oyo State Government and traditional rulers for their cooperation.
Speaking on the reports that tariff may increase, Tegbe said the Federal Government had no plan to raise electricity tariffs, urging Nigerians to disregard the misinformation. He said government’s priority is to achieve round-the-clock supply beginning with three energy zones: the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
He formally flagged off the projects on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and disclosed plans to strengthen the national grid across strategic locations including Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin to make 24-hour supply a national reality.
