ABIA State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has pledged to fast-track renewable energy projects across the state through a stronger partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Otti made the commitment on Thursday when he received a high-level delegation from the REA, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV) at the Government House, Umuahia.
The governor acknowledged that Abia had not moved as rapidly as expected in the deployment of renewable energy, stressing that the situation must change given the state’s enormous potential.
He assured the delegation that his administration would resolve outstanding operational issues and activate existing agreements with the federal agency.
“Just watch us and see what will happen in the next 14 days,” Otti said, expressing his readiness to study the data presented by the delegation and take immediate action.
He said the state would communicate its position within the next 14 days, particularly on an initiative covering 10 states, describing it as one of the “lowest-hanging fruits” available to the government.
Otti also highlighted Abia’s pioneering efforts in deploying electric buses, noting that the initiative had already produced positive results in the state’s drive towards cleaner and greener transportation.
To improve coordination, the governor directed that a state focal person be appointed immediately to liaise with the REA and other relevant agencies.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Dr Abba Aliyu, disclosed that the agency had mapped communities across Nigeria requiring rural electrification.
Aliyu said about 1,000 mini-grids were currently being deployed in different parts of the country.
He noted that although the REA and Abia State had signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year, implementation had been delayed.
The REA boss, however, assured the state of the agency’s readiness to provide the necessary support once Abia demonstrates renewed commitment to the projects.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer, Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, and other members of the Abia State Executive Council.
Tags: Abia, Renewable Energy, Alex Otti
