By DANJUMA AMODU
Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu will on Friday oversee the groundbreaking of a 20MW mini-grid in Egume, Dekina LGA, at 9:00 a.m., and the commissioning of a 700kW mini-grid in Offa, Olamaboro LGA, at noon. Both projects are in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency and are aimed at expanding electricity access in rural communities.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, will on Friday preside over two major rural electrification events in Kogi State as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to bridge the power gap in underserved communities.
According to a statement signed by Lizzy Okoji, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, the first event is the groundbreaking ceremony for a 20-megawatt mini-grid power project in Egume Community, Dekina Local Government Area. It is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Later that day, at 12:00 p.m., the Minister will commission a 700-kilowatt mini-grid power project in Offa Community, Olamaboro Local Government Area.
Both projects are being executed in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, and are designed to boost electricity supply to households, small businesses, schools, and health centres in the benefiting communities.
The statement further noted that the events represent a significant milestone in advancing rural electrification and community development in Kogi State.
The 20MW Egume mini-grid is expected to serve Egume and neighbouring communities in Dekina LGA, while the 700kW Offa project will provide stable power to residents and micro-enterprises in Olamaboro LGA.
In recent years, the REA has partnered with ministries and state governments to deploy mini-grids and solar hybrid systems in rural communities nationwide, as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to diversify energy sources and expand access.
Friday’s back-to-back ceremonies underscore the Ministry of Steel Development’s growing role in power infrastructure delivery through inter-agency collaboration, with a focus on improving livelihoods and driving local economic growth in Kogi State.
