The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) officially launched the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP), a four-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria.
The programme aims to support access to clean energy by increasing the financial viability, and promoting scaled up commercial investment, in renewable energy mini-grids, with a focus on cost-reduction levers and innovative business models.
The programme is active in 21 African Countries and the Nigeria national project implemented by the REA is the first to commence implementation following the official launch at an inception workshop hosted in collaboration with representatives from the UNDP, GEF, Federal Ministries of Power, Environment and Agriculture as well as other key stakeholders in the rural development space.
The Africa Minigrids Program in Nigeria is designed as an enabler project of the REA’s Energising Agriculture Programme (EAP) which aims to advance one of REA’s strategic priorities of focusing on the unserved and underserved to increase economic opportunities through agriculture and productive sectors in rural communities across the country.
At its launch recently, Mr. Mohamed Yahya, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria,said access to reliable, sustainable, affordable energy is a catalyst to socio-economic development, and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He added that,“By scaling up solutions such as renewable energy minigrids, we will be able to close the energy access gap and unlock opportunities for people in Nigeria and across the region.”The GEF Operational Focal Point at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Jonah Stanley, emphasized the significance of the programme which he sees as “central to issues such as security, climate change, food production and strengthening economies while protecting ecosystems.”
Commending the collaborative spirit of the agency’s partners and stakeholders that enabled the activation of the programme, the Managing Director / CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad disclosed that the program will serve as another catalyst for improved access to sustainable energy and equitable and inclusive impact on livelihoods by unlocking agricultural value addition opportunities from electrification.
According to him,the sectoral approach is in line with his agency’s focus on programmes to advance the electrification targets and broader social and economic development objectives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF) at the REA, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare,said in order to enhance the viability of mini-grids and the impact of electrification, the programme will deploy pilot mini-grids to achieve the electrification of rural communities and agricultural value chains and establish the most appropriate solutions and business models, while amplifying the knowledge gained to catalyze private investment.
The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) in Nigeria will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Action) and 5 (Gender Equality) with an estimate of 70,063 direct project beneficiaries out of which 34,559 are women.
The lifetime global environmental benefit is estimated at 74.2 ktCO2e.Launch of the Africa Mini-grids Program at COP27As part of the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference COP27 (7-18 November, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt), the Africa Minigrids Program partners UNDP, RMI, and the GEF will co-host the event entitled “Africa’s Just Energy Transition: Scaling Up Renewable Energy Minigrids for People and Planet”.
Stop Medical Doctors from Relocating Abroad Now For Greener Pastures, Resident Doctors Advise Federal Government
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged the federal government to work out a permanent solution to the current relocation of qualified medical personnel particularly medical doctors to other parts of the world to seek for greener pastures.
Addressing a news conference in Umuahia on Saturday after its 2022 Annual General Meeting in the Abia State capital, the National President of the NARD, Doctor Emeka Orji reiterated the preparedness of the association to assist the government to tackle the menace of medical flight.
In a communiqué issued after its AGM and Scientific Conference tagged “Unity AGM” held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, the resident doctors called for an increased funding of the country’s health sector to the tune 15 percent budgetary allocation in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.
Amongst their numerous demands were: the payment of the new hazard allowances for medical doctors, payment of skipping arrears for 2014 to 2016 and the review of consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) in line with the agreed terms.
The resident doctors asked the federal government, the Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum and stakeholders in the medical sector to prevail on the governors of Ekiti, Imo and Ondo States to “urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state tertiary health institutions”, adding that the nonpayment of the salaries and allowances to doctors working those health institutions is becoming embarrassing.
According to them, while Ekiti is owes three months, Imo is in the arrears of 10 and that of Ondo is five months. The communiqué commended the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for the payment of the seven months arrears of salaries to medical doctors working in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) and urged him to complete the payment.
Other officers elected at the AGM/Conference which was attended by 82 chapters included: the first Vice President, Dr ND-Ezuma Nnamdi, the second Vice President, Dr Jumbo Enefiok Hezekiah and Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi amongst other elected officers.