Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has kickstarted a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve access to electricity in the state.
In a virtual launch, Thursday, the Governor unveiled the Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan, under the Power Africa-Nigeria’s Power Sector Program initiative (PA-NPSP) as a scheme to improve the electricity supply in the state.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the Integrated Resource Plan is a priority initiative that ensures that access to reliable and affordable electricity of residents becomes a reality.
According to the Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote, the initiative would improve residents’ access to affordable electricity.
He said, “It is impossible to have a sustainable economic plan without a strategic energy plan. The objective of Lagos State is to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to Lagos residents, a key enabler for the vision of making Lagos a 21st-century economy. The Integrated Resource Plan will be a sustainable, long-term electrification plan for Lagos.”
He further explained that the Integrated Resource Plan would be developed within the framework of PA-NPSP, and would be the roadmap to guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive electrification strategy that “will be best suited to the long-term development needs of Lagos State.
“The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) when developed, will be an effective tool for improved planning and decision making towards accelerating successful investment in the electricity sector and ultimately increasing electricity accessibility and reliability in Lagos State.”
According to the USAID’s Mission Director, Mr. Stephen Haykin, “it is vital that we support this initiative, as it serves as a critical planning process to meet consumers’ needs for electricity services in a way that satisfies multiple objectives for resource use.”
Also, the Deputy Chief of party for PA-NPSP, Mr. Tunde Gbajumo, emphasized the importance of collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions.
Gbajumo said that the PA-NPSP and the Lagos State Government would work closely with various stakeholders in the power sector to develop the Integrated Resource Plan.
He also revealed that a study team comprising gas suppliers, the two Lagos distribution companies, generation companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Rural Electrification Agency, and the Federal Government has been set up.
