The Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Abba Ganduje, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Kano State’s renewable energy drive as he received a high-powered delegation from the state government in Abuja.
The delegation, led by top government officials, visited REA to discuss strategies for expanding renewable energy projects to enhance electrification in key sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, rural communities, and transportation.
Welcoming the team, Engr. Abba Ganduje emphasized REA’s dedication to strengthening cooperation with Kano State to ensure sustainable energy solutions that will improve service delivery and economic development.
“We are committed to working closely with Kano State to implement impactful renewable energy projects that will transform key sectors and improve the lives of residents,” he stated.
The Kano delegation included the Commissioners for Education, Transportation, and Rural and Community Development, alongside the Managing Directors of the Rural Electrification Board (REB) and KanInvest.
Also present was the Special Adviser on Health and Physician to the Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Musa.
During the engagement, both parties explored avenues for future collaboration, highlighting the importance of clean energy in driving development and ensuring reliable electricity access for Kano’s public institutions and rural communities.
The meeting marked a significant step in Kano State’s energy transition efforts, with REA pledging its technical and strategic support for ongoing and future projects.
The delegation sent by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was led by the Commissioner of Power and Sustainable Energy Engr. Dr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu.
“At the time, the airline was on the brink of collapse, with only eight operational aircraft.
Between November 2016 and January 2017, Arik suspended multiple operations, failed to pay insurance premiums, and accumulated debts of approximately N30 billion to aviation regulators, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
“The government, concerned about passenger safety, job losses for over 1,500 employees, and the potential collapse of the aviation sector, urged AMCON to intervene,” Nwauzor explained.
Despite Arumemi-Ikhide’s legal challenge against the receivership, a 2021 ruling by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos upheld AMCON’s authority over Arik. “The court has validated AMCON’s receivership, and that decision is not in dispute,” Nwauzor stated.
Arumemi-Ikhide has also accused AMCON of mismanaging Arik’s fleet, claiming that 30 aircraft were operational before the takeover.
However, AMCON countered this claim, revealing that several aircraft had been used as collateral for personal debts and were repossessed by creditors.
Since its creation in 2010 to stabilize Nigeria’s banking sector, AMCON has encountered resistance from defaulters who resort to legal delays and media propaganda.
“Debt recovery is difficult, but if we fail, the financial burden shifts to taxpayers,” Nwauzor reiterated.
He urged stakeholders, including the media, to view AMCON’s mandate as a national priority. “This is about ensuring financial accountability and protecting Nigeria’s economy from reckless borrowing,” he concluded.
