New Lagos mini-grid will unlock businesses, jobs — Senator

The senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru, has said the newly commissioned 504-kilowatt-hour interconnected mini-grid in Epe and the planned 5MW expansion will unlock businesses, create jobs and improve livelihoods in the area.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abiru said the project would provide reliable electricity for businesses, agro-processors, fish merchants, artisans, schools, healthcare facilities and thousands of small and medium-scale enterprises that have struggled with inadequate power supply.

The project, facilitated by the senator in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency, the European Union and the German government through GIZ, was commissioned last week in Epe, Lagos State.

Represented at the event by a former Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Abdulateef Abiru, the lawmaker described the project as a catalyst for economic growth, enterprise development and improved living standards for residents.

He said the successful delivery of the mini-grid followed more than four years of sustained advocacy and collaboration to ensure Epe benefited from the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme.

According to him, the project goes beyond an electricity intervention, representing a significant step towards addressing the perennial power challenges in Epe Local Government Area.

“This project did not happen by accident. It is the result of years of persistent engagement, advocacy and collaboration. Since the initiative commenced over four years ago, we remained committed to ensuring its successful delivery because we understood the transformative impact reliable electricity will have on our people and local economy,” he said.