Agencies sign agreement to kick start Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan

The first phase in the implementation of the Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan has begun with the official signing of a letter of Cooperation to develop electrification plan for Lagos.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday during a virtual signing event when the representatives of the Lagos State Government and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Program (PA-NPSP) executed a Letter of Cooperation to formally launch the Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) initiative.

A statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile and made available to OpenLife stated that

the Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan, which will be developed in close coordination with PA-NPSP, will serve as a roadmap to guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive electrification strategy that is best suited to the long-term needs of Lagos State. The Integrated Resource Plan, when developed, will be an effective tool for improved planning and decision making towards accelerating successful investment in the electricity sector and ultimately increasing electricity accessibility and reliability in Lagos State.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor emphasized the importance of  the virtual signing ceremony, saying “To improve access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, there is no better place to start than in Nigeria. The Integrated Resource Plan is a priority initiative for the Lagos State Government and it underpins our electricity strategy to ensure access and reliability to Lagos residents is a reality,” he said.  

 He thanked the Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Program including all the domestic stakeholders for providing support to ensure the Lagos Integrated Resource Plan becomes a reality and for their continuous support towards making Lagos greater. 

In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote, described the signing ceremony as a significant milestone in the implementation plan of the Lagos State Government towards improving electricity access in the State.

However, USAID’s Mission Director, Mr. Stephen M. Haykin explained that, “Power Africa recognises the importance of reliable electricity supply to Nigeria’s present and future. From energy perspective, I can’t think of a better way to accelerate access to electricity than to actively partner with the Lagos State Government for the development of a robust Integrated Resource Plan. To this end, it is vital that we support this initiative, as it serves as a critical planning process to meet consumers’ needs for electricity services in a way that satisfies multiple objectives for resource use.”