CSO demands COWAFIJ retract statement against REA MD, cites blackmail

The Foundation for Economic Advocacy Advancement (FFEAA), have decried a recent press release issued by The Coalition of West African Investigative Journalists (COWAFIJ). FFEAA in a statement signed by its National Publicity Officer, Mr. Dolapo Olanrewaju described the entire press conference by COWAFIJ as an attempt at ridiculing the giant strides of the REA under Engr Salihijo Ahmad.

FFEAA describing COWAFIJ as an arm of the opposition committed to making mockery of the advancement of the Federal Government in the power sector, reminded the naysayers of the intensification of World Bank in providing alternative sources of power for rural electrification in Nigeria, through an additional commitment of $750m grant to Nigeria.

Elizabeth Huybens, the World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations for Western Central African Region, had announced the plan of the World Bank to further strengthen Nigeria’s rural electrification success by an additional $750M, during her visit to inspect the 60KwP Mini-Grid Project in Kilankwa Community in Abuja.

FFEAA maintains that the successes of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification drive have been hinged on the leadership of Engr Ahmad Salihijo, who has constantly pursued the vision and goal of the REA through an unalloyed hunger to fulfill the dreams of millions of Nigerians who desire to be connected to electricity no matter their location in Nigeria.

Thousands of grids have been deployed in small communities across Nigeria, thereby optimizing the use of the electricity generated to expand productive activities. Today millions of kids can study at night, because of access to electricity. There can be no modern life without electricity and it is hard to think about reducing poverty without access to electricity, the statement added.
FFEAA reiterated the commendations made by Rep Philip Agbese (APC), the lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, during his courtesy visit to REA. During the courtesy visit, the Honorable had applauded the Engr Salihijo Ahmad on the agency’s post-subsidy removal initiatives, in providing solar energy alternatives to Nigerians in a bid to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on businesses, farmers and households.
FFEAA alleges that the untiring propaganda against the Engr Salihijo led REA, are the attempts of opposition mischief makers, and corrupt individuals in the power sector who are currently being investigated for various degrees of fraud by the EFCC, and who wish to bring down Engr Salihijo. They insist that after a flawless administration of the World Bank funds by Engr Salihijo and his REA team, and a clean sheet of affairs, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON offered him an audience to provide an update on the advancements within the nation’s renewable energy sector. During the meeting with the Vice President, the CEO of REA, presented a comprehensive overview of REA’s strategic initiatives, notable achievements in Nigeria’s off-grid renewable energy sector, and outlined the agency’s proposed measures to mitigate the impacts of the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
The Foundation for Economic Advocacy Advancement (FFEAA), asserts that The Coalition of West African Investigative Journalists (COWAFIJ) should forthwith retract their lackluster statement that is nothing short of an unfortunate blackmail, as the Pres. Tinubu administration is bent on providing electricity to millions of households across Nigeria’s rural communities through the leadership of Engr Salihijo at the REA.