
By Moses Patience Chat
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced the setting up of solar powered mini- grids in agrarian communities to improve agricultural activities.
The Managing Director of REA, Ahmed Salihijo, said the solar-powered mini-grids are being set up in agrarian communities to reduce the cost of energy, following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He said this on Saturday during the inspection of a 100-kilowatt mini-grid in Gurin, Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State where he said that the Agency would target fishing communities in other geo-political zones to boost the country’s agricultural sector as a whole.
“Gurin is a hub for rice milling. The idea is to provide power for the rice processors so that their dependency on petrol is reduced.
“In other zones, we have targeted areas where there’s community farming, especially around fishing as well as in border areas where there are a lot of economic activities.
“The system is designed to prioritize productive users, including agro-processing businesses, homes, and public spaces. But the key is to ensure that this project goes to communities that have existing economic activities so that they can afford and use the power.
“The purpose is to boost the agricultural productivity of the country,” he said.