Rural Communities : World Bank To Ensure Connectivity To National Grid

The World Bank says it is making frantic efforts to ensure that every nook and cranny of Nigeria is connected to the National Grid.

The World Bank President, Mr Ajay Banga made this known while inspecting the Nigeria Electrification Project Mini Grid site in Petti, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

The Solar Hybrid Mini Grid was deployed to serve as an alternative source of energy to impact rural dwellers in the country.

Mr Ajay Banga disclosed that the world bank was working towards installing one thousand of such mini grids in Nigeria to electrify unserved rural communities.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency Mr Ahmad Salihijoh Ahmad explained that the intervention would catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life in rural communities.

Mr Ahmad said they are partnering relevant stakeholders to ensure that the unserved areas were discovered for them to benefit from rural electrification plan.

The head Project Management Unit of Nigeria Electrification Project Mr Abba Aliyu said renewable energy would enhance energy security and reliability to mitigate the impact of transmission loses and grid failures as well as bridge the energy access deficit in the country.

According to him, renewable energy would also provide the country with the diversification of energy means thereby reducing over dependence on fossil fuels.

Mr Abba Aliyu stated that the siting of the mini grids in rural areas would boost economic activities and provide jobs for the teeming population.

Nkiru Njemanze, Edited By Grace Namiji