Business
Rural Electrification: FG Approves Solar Systems Purchase Through PPP
The Federal Government has given the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) permission to provide electricity to rural areas, using hybrid solar systems, which would be procured using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Chidi Izuwah made this known in a statement.
According to him, the commission has issued an Outline Business Case (OBC) and Full Business Case (FBC) compliance certificate for the project.
Izuwah said that the compliance certificates issued by the ICRC meant that the project proposal as presented by the REA was economically viable and of huge benefit to the country.
“In support of this noble objective of government, we in the ICRC today issued a joint OBC and FBC compliance certificate to enable the REA commence a pilot long term PPP.
“The focus will be on providing affordable and economically rewarding hybrid solar power to some rural communities.
“On successful completion of the pilot, massive roll out will occur nationwide,’’ he said.
Izuwah said the certificate was received by Dr Sanusi Ohiare, the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund of the REA on behalf of the Managing Director of REA, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi.
The Tide source recalls that the African Development Bank (AfDB), had said one of the biggest constraints to competitiveness, economic growth and diversification in Nigeria was the crippling infrastructure deficit.
According to the bank, the crippling infrastructure is estimated at about 300 billion dollars.
Given the government’s limited access to international debt, revenue constraints and competing priorities, PPP remains the sustainable option for the country.
To bridge this gap, the ICRC believes that power must attract investments of about 20 billion dollars, rail tracks, 17 billion dollars, road, 14 billion dollars and oil and gas, 60 billion dollars.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
