IBADAN, Nigeria (Oct. 15) — The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has flagged off five mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State and said there will be no increase in electricity tariffs.

‎Tegbe spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony in Ibadan. He said the projects will serve communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.

The projects are Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-elega mini-grids. They will have a 17.74-megawatt battery storage system.

He said the projects will improve power supply to homes and businesses, reduce generator use and create jobs.

‎Tegbe said the project is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand electricity access.

He said similar projects by the Rural Electrification Agency have been done in Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.

He thanked the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Ltd., the World Bank, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, the Oyo State Government and traditional rulers for their support.

‎On tariffs, Tegbe said the federal government has no plan to increase electricity tariffs. He asked Nigerians to disregard reports of a hike.

He said government plans to achieve 24-hour power supply starting with three energy zones — Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.

He added that government will strengthen the national grid in Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.

He flagged off the projects on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.