The Federal Government and United State Trade and Development Agency have signed a 1.1million dollar grant to support electricity infrastructure development in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed at the ongoing Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of the summit is “Widening the integration Circle: Technology, Knowledge, Sustainability Partnership”
Mr Thomas Hardy, Director, U.S Trade and Development Agency said that the agency was proud signing the grant with Nigeria.
He said that the grant was another demonstration of the American government’s commitment to ensuring infrastructural development across the globe.
According to Mr Hardy, Nigeria is the largest population in Africa and we are proud investing in the energy sector in the largest African nation to provide power to the rural communities.
He added that the grant would be used for feasibility study of the Independent Power Projects (IPP) and other infrastructure development in the energy sector.
“The grant is part funding for the NNPC Abuja IPP modelled to generate 1,350 mw,” he said
Mr Hardy said the money will be released in tranches depending on the particular project in the sector.
He said that General Electric (GE) would provide all the technology for the IPP project and reiterated the agency’s commitment to partner with Nigeria to ensure electricity was accessible to all Nigerians.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari, said that the Nigerian energy deficiency could be corrected with partnership among stakeholders.
He said the grant would help to ensure that power was delivered to Nigerians for economic growth and development.