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Government to leverage off-grid solutions for rural electrification

By Kingsley Jeremiah, Abuja
18 November 2020   |   2:08 am
The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has said off-grid solutions, especially renewable energy will be deployed to solve sustainable energy challenges in rural communities across Nigeria.

The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has said off-grid solutions, especially renewable energy will be deployed to solve sustainable energy challenges in rural communities across Nigeria.

This came as the agency inaugurated a 7.5KWP Solar Mini Grid Project to power a health facility, Joint Hospital in Ozubulu, Anambra State.

Implemented by the REA, the project was completed in partnership with a private sector contractor, Eauxwell Nig Limited. Speaking at the event, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, said the hospital would improve quality of service to patents, adding that the project would ensure clean, safe and reliable electricity.

“It is important to stress that the benefits of clean, safe and reliable electricity in this hospital will increase the number of patients visiting the hospital and improve the quality of health service by doctors to patients.

“We will now be able to attend to patients at night, store bloods and medicinal supplies without fear of them getting damaged,” he said.

Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Sanusi Ohiare, disclosed that plans were underway to replicate the project across communities.

Managing Director, REA, Ahmad Salihijo, represented at the event by Alozie Solomon, said the Federal Government had been mandated to implement sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure, especially with off-grid technologies.

Salihijo said: “I strongly believe the quality of lives will be improved and both the young and the old will have access to better healthcare service as well as learning experiences in this community and other beneficiary communities.”

Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Chris Emeka Azubogu, stressed the need to develop the country’s economy by improving power supply.

Noting that the hospital had been powered by generating sets, Azubogu expressed gratitude to the Agency for lighting up the community.

Also speaking, the Hospital Proprietor, Chukwujejwu Akabugu, said the hospital would now operate 24 hours daily due to the power supply.

Akabugu urged the Agency to step up the capacity of the project in order to supply power to the staff quarters, and tasked the Federal Government to come to the aid of the hospital for expansion in order to serve the teeming populace that relies on the health facility.

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