Capacity building: key to new strategy for revamping rural electrification agency – Kuchi

[The InfoStrides]

The Minister of State (Power) has   identified capacity building as key to the new strategy plan for revamping the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

To this end, the Ministry of Power has sent the final draft of this modus to Mr. President and it was observed that it will depend strongly on well trained and capable staff to operate.

While speaking when she undertook a working visit to the Agency as part of her supervisory role, Hajia  Kuchi said, REA as hub of all electricity-related activities is key, if Government is to achieve the lofty ideals of the power sector reform.

The Minister said, there is enormous task for the staff to discharge their duties diligently with limited resources.

She assured the staff that their welfare would be looked into, just as she acknowledged the importance of well motivated staff in the ability to deliver on the Agency's mandate.

On low recurrent budget, which formed the nucleus of myriad of problems tabled by the Agency's management, the Minister said the Agency must furnish the Ministry with documents to back up their claims, promising that she will take up the issue with the Budget Office.

On other problems highlighted, the Minister advised the Managing Director to prioritize their needs but should ensure that the Agency's website is functional 24/7 as this is a window to the World.

Other priority areas include payment of outstanding rent on offices, procurements of furniture and equipment for day to day running of the office.

On the on-going procurement exercise, the Minister directed the Management to stick to the four week timeline, as she would not take any excuse for the Agency inability not to deliver.

Earlier, the Managing Director of REA, Kenneth Achugbu had listed myriad of problems to include lack of operational vehicles, dilapidated office furniture and fittings, inadequate office accommodation, lack of ICT equipments, no insurance cover and lack of funds for training.

He promised to do his best within the available limited resources to ensure that the Agency is back on its pre-scrapping footing.

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