By Francis Ajuonuma
The Federal Government has commenced five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, as the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, ruled out any planned increase in electricity tariffs.
The projects, located in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas, are expected to improve electricity supply to homes and businesses while reducing dependence on generators.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Media Consultant to the Minister of Power, Mathew Ibiyemi, following the ground-breaking ceremony for the projects.
The projects comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74MW battery energy storage system.
Tegbe said the initiative would extend working hours, improve livelihoods and create a more conducive environment for investment and job creation in beneficiary communities.
He described the projects as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand electricity access nationwide, noting that similar interventions had been implemented in other states with support from the Rural Electrification Agency.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the project.
He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation, while acknowledging the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Addressing reports of an impending tariff increase, Tegbe said the Federal Government had no plan to raise electricity tariffs and urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misinformation.
He said the government was instead focused on achieving round-the-clock electricity supply, beginning with three proposed energy zones covering the Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors.
According to him, the government also plans to strengthen the national grid across strategic generation and transmission locations, including Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
Tegbe said the objective was to extend improved stability and reliability beyond the initial zones and make 24-hour electricity supply a national reality.
He formally flagged off the five projects on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the investment as a product of collaboration between government, private enterprise and development partners to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
