Nasarawa State has been selected to benefit from StarTimes’ launch of solar power mini grid through the support of the World Bank.
Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this while presiding over the monthly meeting of the Nasarawa State Executive Council at the Government House on Wednesday.
According to Governor Sule, StarTimes, having realised that power is one of the challenges affecting television broadcasting in Nigeria, decided to diversify into power generation.
The initiative was made known when delegation from the Chinese firm led by Mr. Pang Xin Xing, Group Chairman world-wide and Joshua Wang, CEO StarTimes Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Sule at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
“They have now diversified to power generation, especially solar. Based on that, they are working with the World Bank, and the bank is supporting them to start a mini-grid model. Nasarawa State has been selected for that, and that explains the reason for the visit by the StarTimes Chairman. The first mini-grids is expected to be launched by May this year,” he stated.
In a related development, the governor disclosed that activities of his administration in areas of security, mining, ongoing projects, education and youth empowerment is yielding positive results.
On security, he commiserated with the governor and people of Plateau State over the recent security breaches that led to the loss of lives.
He announced that a delegation from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) would visit Governor Caleb Mutfwang to commiserate with him.
He commended security agencies operating in Nasarawa State for all their efforts in maintaining peace in identified trouble spots.
“A lot of efforts have been put in place, especially with regard to the return of the Bassa people to their ancestral abode in Katakpa, and other parts of Toto LGA.
“We sincerely commend the security agencies, jointly and in particular commend the Chairman of Toto LGA, traditional rulers, and stakeholders that have equally put in efforts to ensure peace, as well as the return of the Bassa people.”
The Governor also announced that he hosted in his office, AIG Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Assistant Inspector-General, Police Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, who is on an assessment visit to the police public relations school in Lafia, preparatory to establishing a Special Protection Unit (SPU) and anti-terrorism unit.
He acknowledged the efforts being put in place by Operation Whirlstroke, which is currently reviewing the security situation around, especially Nasarawa Eggon and parts of Wamba, to address kidnappers’ threats.
Sule disclosed that he personally submitted a letter inviting President Bola Tinubu to commission projects already completed by his administration.
