By Olajide Meseko
The board members of the Rural Electrification Agency, (REA), have been charged to work in harmony with the Federal Ministry of Power towards delivering on the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to provide electricity in the rural communities.
Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jeddy Agba gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the new board led by a retired military Colonel, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua in Abuja.
In his inaugural address, the Minister expressed confidence in the new board of the REA which he described as a high-performing agency of the power ministry.
He disclosed that due to the importance attached to the agency, the approval for membership of its board was purely on merits following carefully scrutiny by President Buhari.
Emphasizing on the need for synergy between the board and the Ministry, Agba added that necessary inputs will be made from time to time between the ministry and the board.
“We seek your harmonious working relationship to achieve on the mandate of the Agency toward achieving more stability in the industry to electrify more villages in the country,” the Minister said.
To ease the work of the Board, the Minister disclosed that local and international visitations, seminars, workshops and induction visits have been approved for the board when necessary.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Neobolisa Anako in his welcome address described the reconstituted board of the REA as a milestone towards achieving the rural electrification agenda which he noted as key to realizing Vision 3030 in line with the efforts to have energy mix in compliance with the climate change.
Responding on behalf of other members, Chairman of the board, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua thanked President Buhari for considering them worthy for the assignment.
He assured, that the board will approach the assignment with the fear of God to guarantee the provision of power in rural communities.
Yar’Adua also pledged the board’s maximum cooperation to the Minister and management of the REA in achieving its mandate.
Aside from the chairman, other members of the board include Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, South west; Mr. Chidi Emmanuel Nwogu, South east and Catherine Ajibike, South South.
Others are: Dr. Abdullahi Garba, North west; Dr. Abdul Umar, North East, and Mohammed Kabir Badamasi representing North Central.
Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Dr. Alex Okoh and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning as well as Power Ministry are also represented on the board.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad is also a member of the new board.