The Nigerian government on Tuesday gave the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) permission to provide electricity to rural areas, using hybrid solar systems, which would be procured through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Chidi Izuwah who made this known in a statement said the Commission had issued an Outline Business Case (OBC) and Full Business Case (FBC) compliance certificate for the project.

According to him, the project proposal as presented by the REA was economically viable and of huge benefit to the country.

“In support of this noble objective of government, we in the ICRC today issued a joint OBC and FBC compliance certificate to enable the REA commence a pilot long term PPP.

“The focus will be on providing affordable and economically rewarding hybrid solar power to some rural communities.

“On successful completion of the pilot, massive roll out will occur nationwide,’’ he said.