Buhari kicks off 2.5MW solar power project at NDA

President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for the construction of 2.5 mega watts solar power plant at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the multi-million-naira World Bank project, which is expected to be completed in the next 12 months, is being executed under the Rural Electrification Programme.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari said the groundbreaking ceremony “marks the commencement of the 2.5 mega watts solar hybrid power project under the Energising Education Programme (EEP) Phase II being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with financial Support from the World Bank.”

According to him, “this intervention started with EEP Phase 1, which was financed by the Federal Government through the Green Bond.”
He added that the programme “is already providing sustainable energy to the students and staff members of seven federal universities across the geo-political zones of Nigeria.” 

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, retired Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, assured the contractors, Messr Dongfang Electric Corporation – Mutual Commitment Company (DEC-MCC), of the unflinching Support of the Federal Government as they “embark on building of this project that will also provide street lights, rehabilitation of distribution network and a renewable energy workshop/training centre at NDA”.

He added that “with REA as the implementing agency, we expect nothing but a high standard and quality project that will ensure sustainability and power supply to this prestigious military academy”.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, said the project would be completed on schedule, adding that “the idea of the solar power project is to supplement supply from the national grid.”