NASENI, REA MOVE TO REVOLUTIIONISE RURAL AREAS

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Halilu, and Managing Director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, have agreed to deploy NASENI’s solar resources and other renewable energy technologies for increased electricity supply to the rural areas.

The commitment was a product of discussions between the two chief executives in Abuja, at the weekend, when the NASENI boss visited the REA headquarters as part of efforts to promote adoption of the agency’s technologies.

Halilu, who assumed office two weeks ago, said: “The focus is to hit the ground running by nurturing effective collaborations with the right stakeholders, who will assist NASENI to fulfil its mandate of providing the science and engineering infrastructure base for Nigeria’s businesses and economy to thrive.

“The strategy, going forward, for NASENI, includes knocking on the doors of potential end-users of the agency’s technology and engineering products, making off-take of our Research & Development (R&D) easy, while also bringing the direct impact of our work to bear on the Nigerian economy.”

In a statement, yesterday, signed by NASENI’s Director of Information, Segun Ayeoyenikan, the two chief executives pledged to crash cost of solar power in rural areas through increased local production of solar panels by NASENI.

The overall goal, according to the REA MD, is to facilitate the Federal Government’s realisation of electrifying the rural areas in record time.

Earlier, Halilu visited Director General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on a similar mission.

The two CEOs emphasised the need to look inward and develop local content (human and material) capacity to transform the economy.

He sought to exploit the long-standing relationship between them and both organisations to share experiences and best practices in management and resource optimisation.

Also speaking, Abdullahi observed that NITDA’s strategy of focusing on changing both the mindsets and skill sets of its staff remains two critical factors that have helped the agency achieve up to 62 per cent of its goals and objectives within two years, ahead of its four-year projection.

He said the same approach would work for NASENI, if there were a well-thought-out strategic plan and clarity of vision and goals.