Sule inaugurates 300kWp solar mini-grids in 6 communities

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Wednesday inaugurated a 300kWp-solar hybrid mini-grids in six communities in the state.

Sule said while the inauguration of the facility in Rukubi community in Doma Local Government Area of the state that the projects were executed by the Husk Power System.

The governor said that 50kWp was installed in each of the benefitting commmunities.

The communities are Rukubi, Idadu and Igbabo in Doma Local Government Area; as well as Kiguna, Akura and Gidan Buba in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the facilities were provided by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, to boost electricity in rural areas.

Sule lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his foresight to provide rural areas with solar electricity, to enhance economic activities and enable the populace to contribute to national development.

He also commended the Hosk Power System for the initiative, adding that the projects were in line with the vision of his administration.

“I am happy you did not only generate the power, but you also mounted poles and distributed the power to the people,” the governor stated.

He said the state government would assist in the maintenance of the facilities and urged the community leaders to take ownership of the projects and protect them against vandalism.

Earlier, Manoj Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Hosk Power System, said he was happy to witness the inauguration of their first solar hybrid mini-grids project in Nigeria.

Sinha commended the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments as well as traditional rulers in the affected communities, for embracing solar and renewable energy, which he said was the future energy system.

He said the company had supplied the system to many communities in India, assuring the benefiting communities that the solar device had the capacity to power all their appliances.

Also speaking, Mr Ahmed Salihijo-Ahmad, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, said the projects were designed and executed to change the economic fortunes of the people of the affected communities.

Salihijo-Ahmad lauded all development partners, traditional and community leaders, as well as the people for their cooperation from the beginning to the conclusion of the projects.

He was represented at the event by Mr Niyi Nitufo, the Executive Director of Corporate Services in the agency.

According to the managing director, the projects are parts of government’s initiative to electrify rural communities through renewable energy.

“As part of our mandate, we are responsible for powering unserved and underserved communities in the country with hybrid mini-grids solution.”

“As an implementing agency, we are replicating this in many communities across the country, in partnership with the private sector,” the managing director said.

Salihijo-Ahmad commended the company for delivering high-standard projects, adding that the system would provide 24-hour electricity.