ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has disclosed that several rural communities across Nigeria now enjoy steady electricity supply through completed mini-grid projects, with some residents paying higher tariffs than Band A customers.
The agency’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, revealed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.
He explained that the rural electrification model not only guarantees reliable supply but also highlights the readiness of rural dwellers to pay for power.
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“There are communities, there are rural areas that pay more tariffs than Band A customers.
“There are areas where the tariff is close to N250 and N280,” Aliyu said.
He noted that the charges in rural areas depend largely on the cost of infrastructure deployed. According to him, the system offers flexibility, with some locations paying less than Band A customers, while others pay significantly more.
“They pay for their electricity and they enjoy it, but there are other areas where the tariff is less than Band A.
“It’s subjective on the total cost of infrastructure we deploy within those communities,” he explained.
Aliyu further stated that solar energy has proven to be an effective and sustainable means of powering rural areas.
According to Channels TV, the REA has completed dozens of mini-grids and interconnected mini-grids for universities and general hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country.