TheCable

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it has directed its project team to look into the plight of residents of Gosa Kpanyi Kpanyi village in the federal capital territory (FCT).

The agency disclosed this hours after TheCable published a story on the condition of the village under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Lack of electricity has brought hardship on the people, also resulting in deaths.

In 2019, not less than 16 villagers, including six children, died in road accidents while crossing the highway to charge their phones and watch television.

Funeral for one of the villagers

In its reaction to the report, the agency said it would gather more details about the community and take necessary steps. The agency said such remote and deprived communities are the reasons why it embarks on mini-grid electricity projects.

“Thanks for engaging with us. We have already informed our project team to view this video. The name of the village will also be useful at this point,” REA tweeted.

“We will tag you all in a comprehensive tweet shortly, based on details we are able to gather on this particular community. Such under-served and unserved communities are the reason why we have continued to drive different novel mini grid projects. We give you our assurance of a feedback on this shortly.”

Hello @4eyedmonk, thanks for engaging with us. We have already informed our project team to view this video. The name of the village will also be useful at this point. Still within the FCT, see here https://t.co/p3ypWvyJJl the impact of mini grid installation at Kigbe village.

— REA Nigeria (@realREANigeria) June 25, 2019

We will tag you all in a comprehensive tweet shortly, based on details we are able to gather on this particular community.

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Thanks again @4eyedmonk, @thecableng.

— REA Nigeria (@realREANigeria) June 25, 2019

You are welcome sir. Such under-served and unserved communities are the reason why we have continued to drive different novel mini grid projects. We give you our assurance of a feedback on this shortly.

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Thanks.

— REA Nigeria (@realREANigeria) June 25, 2019

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Meanwhile, people have been reacting to the development, particularly on social media.

Below are some tweets:

Are we pretending to not be aware that lots of villages near Abuja and numerous villages around Nigeria have never been connected to the "National grid" ? I bet 25 to 40% of Nigerians have never had access to electricity.

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— M. I. N (@im_a_kop) June 25, 2019

Where are their representatives in house of reps. They should be held accountable

— Presh-Beddings et al (@PreciousOlamma) June 25, 2019

Hmmmmm, many of such places exist in FCT. No electricity. No healthcare. No water. Sad.

— Omeiza Ajayi (@Omeiza1985) June 25, 2019

Nigeria has some N4.6 billion to spare for this kind of initiative but will rather give to lawmakers as “welcome package”. Our nation is not poor but poorly managed.

— Bukola Michael Nelson, MBA, RTBMA,ETBMA (@BMichael_Nelson) June 25, 2019

Gosa Kpanyi Kpanyi is just one of many villages across the country where development has not reached. Nigeria must do better for its citizens. https://t.co/fn4wdjg31O

— Kolapo Olapoju (@Olapojukolapo) June 25, 2019

In Abuja, something as basic as electricity is lacking in this village and people are dying as a result. @AsoRock kindly look into this to save these folks. https://t.co/USkadE3Irt

— Chinedu Asadu (@chinedu_asadu) June 25, 2019

This is heart wrenching to watch. 16 dead in 2019 alone? Mind boggling! #MiniGrid #RuralElectrification https://t.co/OJdNtcJdR1

— Oluwatoyin Bayagbon (@tee_bayagbon) June 25, 2019

Man. Nigeria is a mess. What? https://t.co/hILxjcUOkN

— Written By (@DamiElebe) June 25, 2019

Very sad & disheartening 😭.

A reflection of the state of the citizens of Nigeria over the years where politicians made promises to improve peoples’ living condition during the campaign but do nothing when they emerge as winners. https://t.co/yrGMCbfFW8

— EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) June 25, 2019

Where is the REA? This is horrible! https://t.co/8JlSN1vOLl

— #iCare4TheIDPs (@fEMIoWOLABI) June 25, 2019

Letter to @OfficialAPCNg

Kindly talk to your representative to do the needful.

Signed… pic.twitter.com/sOw4kJhg3k

— CARTOON THE CELEBRITY 😎😎 (@_iamcartoon) June 25, 2019

Nigeria has some N4.6 billion to spare for this kind of initiative but will rather give to lawmakers as “welcome package”. Our nation is not poor but poorly managed.

— Bukola Michael Nelson, MBA, RTBMA,ETBMA (@BMichael_Nelson) June 25, 2019

How are we still having places that haven’t discovered electricity in 21st century Naija, bikonu?! https://t.co/zSV5bJvKkK

— chika unigwe (@chikaunigwe) June 25, 2019