Minister inaugurates chairman, REA board

The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, has inaugurated the chairman and board members of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

The minister who inaugurated the board at the Federal Ministry of Power Abuja, Thursday, charged the officials to dedicate efforts towards promoting rural electrification.

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The new board is chaired by Abdulazeez Musa Yar’Adua, a brother to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Engr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, is a member. Other members representing the six geopolitical zones are Michael Oluwagbemi (South West), Chidi Nwogu (South East), Catherine Ajibike (South South), Abdullahi Garba (North West), Abdul Umar (North East) and Mohammed Badamasuiy (North Central).

The board also has representatives from the ministries of power and finance and the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE).

Meanwhile, Dr Sanusi Ohiare has been reappointed as the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund (REF) for another five-year term at REA.

REA promotes rural electricity access in Nigeria while championing solar energy projects in the off-grid sphere through the REF with funding from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Responding, the board chairman, Yar’Adua, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity given to serve, noting that the members along with the management team were ready to drive the needed boost in energy access in Nigeria.