World Bank’s Kant praises Nigeria’s clean energy push during Petti Grid visit | The Guardian Nigeria News

World Bank Managing Director and CFO, Mrs. Anshula Kant, visited Nigeria’s Petti community on Thursday to inspect the operational 60kW solar hybrid mini-grid plant implemented under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). The initiative is led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the World Bank.

The visit follows high-level meetings in Abuja, including engagements with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Finance Minister Chief Wale Edun, and Communications Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani. Speaking from the plant site in Kwali Area Council, Kant expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress and long-term impact.

“I’m very happy to see the progress that is being made here,” she told journalists. “The first business of the day is to make sure people have access to electricity… they truly value this access to energy.”

Guided by REA Executive Director of Technical Services, Engr. Umar A. Umar, the tour offered insights into off-grid technology deployment in rural communities. Kant praised the REA’s proactive expansion efforts, describing the initiative as an “innovative and inclusive model to get power to the people.”

During a community interaction, the Etsu Petti, His Royal Highness Haruna Dakuchi Sarki, called for increased grid capacity and urgent road reconstruction to support the area’s growing population and economy. “Building the road would further boost economic empowerment… improving productivity for our people,” the royal father said.

Engr. Umar reaffirmed the REA’s commitment to scaling clean energy access. “This visit is a testament to the impact of our work under NEP. The Petti mini-grid is one of many success stories,” he said.

Commissioned in 2021 and serving over 200 households, the Petti plant stands as a model of decentralised renewable energy deployment, supporting schools, healthcare facilities, and small businesses. Nigeria’s collaboration with the World Bank is seen as a strategic pathway to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7—universal access to modern energy.

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