By Fatima Saka
“Once you are able to ensure that these rural communities are electrified, you would have also been able to bring about some form of inclusiveness, bringing them into the mainstream of the state’s economy,” declared Charles E. Aniagwu, Honourable Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information.
Speaking at the REA State-by-State Roundtable Engagement with Delta State on Wednesday in Abuja, Aniagwu stressed that access to reliable power supply in rural areas goes beyond lighting homes, arguing that it is the bedrock of job creation, small business growth, and improved social services.
“Imagine where you have renewable energy mix in these communities. The barber no longer wastes money on a small generator, the hairdresser can run her salon without constant breakdowns, and the vulcanizer can save more for expansion rather than repairs,” he explained.
The Commissioner emphasized that affordable and sustainable power will reduce unemployment, empower women and youth entrepreneurs, and drive rural industries into the mainstream economy.
He added that electrification will also strengthen public services such as schools and hospitals that currently struggle with insecurity and poor facilities due to darkness.
“Our dispensaries, clinics and cottage hospitals will be able to preserve essential drugs in refrigerators, run their theatres, and keep communities safer,” he said.
Aniagwu further argued that renewable off-grid solutions are cheaper and safer alternatives for far-flung communities where extending the national grid would cost millions and expose infrastructure to vandals.
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He disclosed that Delta State has already begun adopting renewable energy in some hospitals and expressed confidence that new investments under the REA initiative will fast-track integration of rural dwellers into the state’s economic system.
“We do hope that after this, a whole number of investors will bring in resources to support our state, so that our brothers and sisters in rural communities are not left behind while development is concentrated only in the cities,” Aniagwu added.
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