Determined to fight crude oil theft, energy poverty and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has successfully electrified Umuolu Community, in Ndokwa East Local Council of Delta State, with a sustainable solar power system. 
    
The community has been plagued with darkness since its creation over 700 years due to a lack of access to electricity except for the use of generators.
  
The community, however, was agog with the installation of renewable energy through YEAC’s innovative solar power project.
  
The 90.12kwh capacity solar power system, designed and installed by YEAC-Nigeria’s subsidiary, YEAC Community Energy and Development and YEAC-UK, is expected to empower the local economy, improve healthcare, education, and overall quality of life for the community.
  
Speaking, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said that the primary purpose of the facility is to support the government efforts to mitigate pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution by offering alternative livelihood opportunities powered by renewable energy for artisanal refiners and the youths.  
  
He emphasised that alternative livelihood opportunities and youth empowerment are among the solutions to agitations in the region. Fyneface, therefore, called on stakeholders to support and continue investing in the transformative initiative of the organisation.  
  
He said: “The idea of contributing to Nigeria’s oil theft mitigation mechanisms through community energy for households and its productive use also suggests that with households powered, people would no longer use illegally refined petroleum products to energise their homes.”