By Tony Adibe
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of the Federal Ministry of Power has handed over a completed 100kWp Solar Hybrid Mini Grid power project to Uhuafor Nomeh Autonomous Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, describing it as a catalyst for socio-economic empowerment and growth.
NewsBitsng.com reports that for the natives of the community, who trooped to the site of the project during the commissioning, the event was a historic breakthrough as the community, hitherto, never experienced electricity since the creation of Enugu State by the then military President, General Ibrahim Babangida in August 27, 1991.
Handing over the project to the community, the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu said that sustainable energy “brings with it multi-layered opportunities and possibilities.”
He noted that for an already industrious community such as Uhuafor Nomeh, “this 100Kwp solar mini-grid, will further serve as a catalyst for social and economic growth.” He explained that the 100KWP mini-grid project being commissioned was deployed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
He said that one of the critical sectors President Bola Tinubu immediately prioritized upon assumption of office was power sector. “We are, therefore, proud to say that in line with the Federal Government’s transformative efforts on improved rural electrification in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope agenda, the REA continues to strengthen collaborative engagements with State Governments, while delivery energy access solutions across communities nationwide,” Abubakar Aliyu said.
He explained further that REA had recorded another success story through the implementation of the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF), a mechanism designed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to promote off-grid electrification and ensure that “electricity is equitably” distributed across Nigeria.
According to him, the REF had aided the deployment of over 50 solar mini-grids nationwide, providing clean energy access to hundreds or thousands of Nigerians.
“In the last couple of months, the Agency has been on a project commissioning tour, powering Nigeria, one community at a time through the REF. “I can confidently tell you that data has proven that sustainable, renewable energy is a leveller and a catalyst for growth and the Federal Government, through the REA, is committed to doing more,” the Acting CEO of REA said.
Abubakar Aliyu, who was represented on the occasion by, Hon. Engr. Doris Uboh, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, said that the commissioning came at a time when “there is a strong call” for action on promoting safe and sustainable energy solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse emissions.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is fully committed to living up to this charge and has shown and demonstrated this commitment with this power project being operationalized today”, according to him. The Acting CEO of REA stated further that the agency was poised to deliver its mandate on serving the “unserved and underserved Nigerians with clean, safe and reliable energy”, adding that “we are doing so at an accelerated pace because for true development to happen, no one must be left behind.”
He said: “This is the very essence of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope agenda, an agenda centered on true, inclusive development. He said that the technology was designed to have a transformative impact on the lives of the over 3, 000 residents of the community, and advised them to take charge, protect the facility and utilize it productively to drive the community forward.
He said the REA remained a key, accessible partner, and was committed to the Agency’s “continuous collaboration to ensure the sustainability of this project”, urging residents of the community to always own the project and protect it from vandals and miscreants.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration that provided the enabling environment for the installation of the multi-million-naira facility, stressing that REA could not thank Governor Mbah enough for his “leadership and guidance through the course of this project.”
He described Enugu State as one of the fastest growing States in Nigeria, “a business hub that continues to grow even stronger under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah”.
He noted that as the State “continues to advance its electrification pathway in line with the 2023 Electricity Act, we are happy to record the REA’s impact footprint in this state through the successful completion of this mini-grid.”
However, while commissioning the power project Governor Mbah , who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Sir Joe Aneke, said the project will not only supply power to Uhuafor Nomeh and neighboring environ, it also symbolizes hope, progress, and empowerment for the rural communities across Enugu State.
“We owe our heartfelt gratitude to the Rural Electrification Agency for their unwavering commitment to bridging the energy gap in Nigeria, particularly in unserved and underserved communities.
“This project reflects our shared vision: to ensure that every community in Enugu State, regardless of its location, has access to clean, reliable, and affordable power. The fact that the good people of Nomeh have embraced and supported this electrification solution is testament to the drive by my administration to ensure universal access to electricity to all citizens of the State.
“Access to electricity is not merely about lighting homes; it is a catalyst for social and economic growth. With this solar mini-grid power project, artisans will have more time and resources to grow their businesses, and children will be able to study and learn in the evenings and we hope our farmers can look forward to better irrigation options.
”It gives us the capacity to create small-scale industries, enhancing the income and standard of living for all families in Nomeh and its environs. As more households are connected to the system, the capacity could be up-scaled to ensure that the project sustains the supply to the growing population of energy off-takers who are metered and are paying their bills,” according to him.
He assured provision of sustainable development for all communities using similar electrification solutions.
“This project aligns with our agenda to foster innovation, improve rural infrastructure, and create a green, energy-sufficient Enugu. We envision a future where every household, regardless of its location, enjoys the same amenities as those in our urban centers,” he said.
Governor Mbah said that “with the passage of the Enugu State Electricity Law and establishment of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) and the Enugu State Electrification Agency (ESEA), his administration was set to support private sector developers, deploy similar solutions across unserved and underserved communities.
“We expect the operators of this project to engage with the EERC to ensure it operates within the laws and regulations of the State,” he said
Urging the community to protect the facility, Governor Mbah said, “this facility must be protected to ensure it serves the community reliably and sustainably while the network system is extended to connect other households and villages in Nomeh. Our administration is available to work with the Rural Electrification Agency to developing other projects proposed for the State and look forward to engaging with the Agency in this regard.”
He thanked the Rural Electrification Agency for their collaboration, the people of Nomeh for their patience, stressing that , “Together, we are lighting the path to a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Thank you, and may this project bring lasting benefits to Nomeh and beyond. ”
In his speech, the traditional ruler of Nomeh Unateze community, Igwe Col. Israel Okonkwo Mba (Rtd), said the installation of the Solar hybrid in Nomeh would boost economic activities in the community.
“You must have heard that the people of Uhuafor Nomeh are very industrious. With this electricity, our women will be able to carry out their day-to-day activities better and our men will be able to innovate and transform the community for the better. Our children will now be able to read and write using electricity instead of generator with harmful smoke, candles or kerosene lamps,” Igwe Mba said.
He assured the protection of the project, adding that, “We are committed to protecting and utilizing this facility for the good of our people and for the good of Nigeria. It is our mini grid and we will protect it as our own,” he said.
While thanking the federal Government, Governor Peter Mbah, Rural Electrification Agency and his community for their support, the native ruler pleaded with the Federal Government to install more solar electricity for the whole community to benefit.
The ceremony featured the presentation of the Rural Electrification Users Corporative Society Bye-Law to the leaders of the four benefiting communities such as Imeama, Uhuafor, Amakobi, and Uhuorji.
