ABUJA. – The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mercy Corps to strengthen electricity cooperatives towards improved electricity access in Nigeria.
A statement from REA noted that the signing took place at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja on Thursday, 4th July, 2024.
It further explained that the MoU aims to Provide Capacity Building and strengthen the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS), Provide Technical Assistance for the Africa Mini-grid Programme – AMP as well as Support in the development of Sustainable Business Model for the Operations and Maintenance of the Korean Energy Project.
The Managing Director/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu while giving his remarks stated that “today’s MoU signing strengthen REA’s drive for sustainability of projects”.
He said “There is a need to always plan for the end of projects and to indeed put in sustainable measures that will drive the continuity of the project post completion. At REA, the REUCS is the platform used to ensure this sustainability. This platform ensures operation and maintenance of the projects as well as security of the infrastructure and revenue collection. Mercy Corps through years of expertise under this strategic partnership will help the Agency towards sustaining projects deployed.”
The Country Director or Mercy Corps Nigeria, Ndubuisi Anyawu stated “Today is pivotal for us with this signing with the REA. It is not just a formality but a spark that ignites partnership. We stand firm with REA’s mandate and envision a Nigeria that no matter how remote has access to electricity that powers homes, education, healthcare and social development. This MoU represents a powerful partnership that will mobilize communities to form strong cooperatives that will ensure economic growth. We are honored to partner with REA”
This collaboration signifies the willingness and commitment of the organizations in boosting the socio-economic lives of rural communities in Nigeria through provision of electricity.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians. The Agency was established under part IX, Sections 88- 89 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005.
The REA is currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Solar Power Naija (SPN), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI), Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification and Research and Innovation Hub. Africa Mini Grids Programme, Derisking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions and the Korean Energy Project.
The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects, which includes conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.
Also, Mercy Corps is a global Non-Governmental Organization and Humanitarian Organization operating in societies that have undergone, or have been undergoing, various forms of economic, environmental, social and political instabilities, with primary focus on disaster relief and capacity building.