Rural electrification contractors urge Tinubu to prioritise sector’s woes

Association of Rural Electrification Contractors of Nigeria has urged President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to prioritise challenges in the nation’s rural electricity sector.

It, however, debunked reports of misdoings by Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, clearing him of allegations of conflict of interest.

In a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of ARECON, Rotimi Raheem, observed that since 2020, REA, under the current leadership, has approached the business of electrification differently, through a five-year strategy document, that had strengthened the internal workings of the agency, by consistently improving the organisation’s project delivery vehicle.

He said for the tempo to be sustained in delivering constant electricity across the federation, it is imperative for vested interests to abstain from making unfounded claims against the REA boss.

Raheem stressed the need to improve quality of life and economic opportunities for unserved and underserved communities nationwide.

His words: “REA was established to work in line with Federal Government’s objective on delivery of clean and sustainable energy infrastructure nationwide under the Federal Ministry of Power. However, in recent weeks, allegations of fraud and conflict of interest have been recounted against the MD, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.

“The Association of Rural Electrification Contractors of Nigeria describes these attempts as ploys by detractors to tarnish the image of the MD of REA.”