Masari to communities: boost economy with REA projects
By John Ofikhenua, Katsina
Katsina Governor Aminu Masari on Thursday urged residents of Unguwar Dutse, Malumfashi Local Government Area to take advantage of the 330KV transformer the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) installed and commissioned for them to boost their economic activities.
His Senior Special Adviser on Power, Engr. Mansur Musa represented him and commissioned the project the grid extension electrification (33/0.415kv Transformer project in the community.
He said the project would be used to power schools, hospitals and businesses across the community.
He told the residents the commissioning of the grid extension project under the capital projects of the Rural Electrification Agency would provide reliable electricity to this town, which in turn “lead to more productivity for the people of this community as well as neighbouring communities.
“This project will not just provide electricity to homes but will also be utilized to power schools, hospitals and businesses across the community.”
Masari enjoined the residents to protect the transformer from being vandalized and work with stakeholders in the industry to ensure the sustainability of the project.
He commended the agency on the project, noting that power deficit had been an albatross for too long and the projects were proactively addressing them.
REA Managing Director, Ahmad Ahmad, said the agency was tackling the nation’s power challenge of one community at a time. He expressed joy that the Anguwar Dutse community would utilize access to electricity for socio-economic growth.
According to him: “This is the time for men, women, and youths to display the well known Nigerian spirit of innovativeness and creativity, as you take full advantage of the access to stable power development.”
Unguwar Dutsen Village Head, Gambo Wada, said as a rural area, the community would now experience what electricity could provide in terms of prosperity.
He described the commissioning as a major development. He noted that business opportunities in farming, processing, storage, and external trades would become a reality for the industrious people.
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He added: “I must appreciate the people of Unguwar Dutse and the State Government, for this project. It is my prayer that it will help increase our commerce and trade, especially as our local economy is dependent on trade.”
While commissioning 30kw mini-grid in Bambami village, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Masari said it was through collaboration with the Federal Government through the REA to implement the project that would ensure clean, safe, and reliable electricity for the community.
He stressed that the “benefits of clean and constant nature of solar will increase the income of the people in this community through improved business activities as well as improve productive life of the people while ensuring a good education for school children.”
The project was executed through public and private partnerships with IBK Services Limited.
Meanwhile, the REA boss said the agency designed off-grid intervention to automatically enhance the socio-economic status of the village, boost productivity and provide jobs in the community.
Ahmad urged the people to leverage the reliable nature of the solar hybrid mini-grid to improve their well-being.
He said “I strongly believe that that that the quality of lives will be improved and children will have better learning experiences as they will be able to read at night. This project will enliven this community and expose it to invest in the nearest future.”