The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), on Thursday, inaugurated a 581kWp interconnected solar mini-grid project in Oke-Oyi Community, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The project, inaugurated under the Rural Electrification Fund – Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (REF-IMAS) of the REA, was developed by Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited, supported by the German Cooperation and the European Union through GIZ,

The minister of power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe informed that the project was designed “to expand access to reliable electricity while supporting economic activities and improving livelihoods in Oke-Oyi community.”

According to him, the 581kWp comprises 1,336 solar panels and 84 batteries, with approximately 10 kilometres of distribution cables and transformers supporting the electricity distribution network.

“The project serves a community with an estimated population of 13,000 people, with electricity connections extended to residential and productive users.

“The intervention is already contributing to increased economic activity in Oke-Oyi, with new businesses emerging following the availability of improved electricity supply,” he said.

He, however, noted that the project had already benefited 12 welding businesses, two satchet water companies, four grain mills, four aluminium artisan businesses, one ice-block production business and one cold-room/ice-fish depot in the area.

“Three electricity vendors are also currently operating, with three additional vendors, including a female entrepreneur, expected to be registered,” he envisaged.

He recalled that the construction phase of the project provided employment opportunities for youths in the community through the engagement of painters, welders, bricklayers, iron benders, tilers, plumbers, borehole diggers and excavation laborers.

“The purpose of electrification is ultimately to improve lives and create opportunities. What we are commissioning today in Oke-Oyi is an investment in the productive capacity of the community. When electricity enables a welder to expand his business, a grain miller to operate more efficiently or a new enterprise to emerge, we are seeing the direct connection between energy access and economic development,” said he.

Also speaking, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, noted the importance of reliable electricity to economic activities and community development.

“For Kwara State, every intervention that expands reliable electricity access to our communities is an important step towards creating a more conducive environment for enterprise, employment and improved livelihoods.

“We appreciate the Federal Government, REA and all development and private-sector partners for this investment in Oke-Oyi and look forward to its continued contribution to the development of the community,” he said.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to deploying electricity infrastructure that delivers tangible economic value to communities.

He said: “the real measure of an electrification project is not only the infrastructure we commission, but the opportunities that reliable electricity creates for the people who use it. In Oke-Oyi, we are already seeing new businesses emerge, productive activities expand and livelihoods being supported. This is precisely the kind of impact we seek to achieve through the Rural Electrification Agency and our partnership with the private sector and development partners.”

He added that the sustainability of the investment would remain an important consideration beyond commissioning, noting that communities, developers and other stakeholders all have a role to play in protecting and maximizing the value of the infrastructure.

The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karin Jansen, also speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in advancing sustainable energy access in Nigeria. She commended the Federal Ministry of Power, REA, the Kwara State Government, IBEDC, Nayo Tropical Technology, the EU, GIZ and the Oke-Oyi community for their contributions to the project.

She noted that the interconnected mini-grid demonstrates how partnerships between the public sector, development partners and private-sector developers can deliver practical and sustainable energy solutions for underserved communities.

Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrates the value of collaboration between distribution companies, REA, private-sector developers and development partners in expanding reliable electricity access to communities.