Mohammed Shosanya
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA),has commissioned two solar hybrid mini-grids with total of 200kWp capacity for Oloyan and Sule camp communities in Ovia South West and Ovia North East Local Government Areas of Edo State respectively.
The Olayan community will be getting the 100kWp of electricity after 21 years,while the Sule camp community also gets 100kWp after 30 years of darkness.
At the commissioning at the communities, the REA Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said solar mini-grids was one of many, being developed across the nation through the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
He said the REF remains a key mechanism of the Federal Government, designed to enable developmental impact in rural communities through the provision of sustainable and renewable energy access.
Represented by Engr. Doris Uboh, Executive Director, REF, Aliyu noted that the rural communities were being held back across the nation due to the spate of energy poverty in rural communities, which deserved a new lease of life.
He said in siting the mini off grid, REA took into consideration the economic viability of the community , including the critical agricultural activities seen across the communities.
“It is evident that our interventions in unserved and underserved communities are serving as catalysts to true sustainable development, in line with the objectives of the Federal government.
The off-grid, renewable energy ecosystem in Nigeria will continue to be a driving force for the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the commissioning of the two mini grid in Oloya and Sule camp communities brought to three the total mini-grid in the state, as one was commissioned in Adebayo community last two years.
He said to ensure sustainability of the project, they have constituted a committee, comprising members of the communities where the project was cited to take responsibility and also provide security for the project.
Speaking,the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, commended the agency for its commitment to bringing sustainable energy solutions to communities in the state.
Represented by Engr. Ozigbo Esere, Permanent Secretary, Edo State Rural Electrification Agency, Obaseki said the innovative infrastructure such as the mini-grid were essential for the growth and prosperity of the great people of the state.
He said the initiative was a reflection of the visionary leadership of President, Bola Tinubu and the transformative 2023 Electricity Act, which has laid a solid foundation for a brighter energy future in Nigeria.
On behalf of the communities, Kolawole Olusegun, Baale of Oloyan community, and Asimiyu Kareen, Baale of Sule camp community said that the project would significantly improve their socio-economic activities.
They said: ” The installation of this electricity project has made us believe in the promises of the Federal Government. It is a sign that the government has not forgotten the rural people”.