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Omo-Agege, minister urge maintenance as FUPRE unveils 1.35MW solar plant

By Chido Okafor, Warri
01 March 2021   |   3:02 am
Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege and Minister of State for Power, Goddy Agba, at the weekend canvassed improved maintenance of facilities at the Federal University

[FILES] Senator Ovie Omo-Agege,

Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege and Minister of State for Power, Goddy Agba, at the weekend canvassed improved maintenance of facilities at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State.

They gave the charge during the unveiling of a 1.35MW power plant at the institution, insisting that FUPRE had become one of the few universities in Nigeria with an uninterrupted solar hybrid power system capable of generating 1.35MWs of electricity.

The power project, which was built through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) by Metka West Africa has a renewable energy workshop, training centre and solar-powered streetlights.

They insisted on the maintenance of the project and challenged the university management and students to ensure that the power plant served the university for a long time and that it was not vandalised.

Agba said solar hybrid project was part of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) aimed at providing sustainable and clean power to 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals (UTHs) across the country.

“As we have completed this project, we renew our resolve and commitment to follow through in completing more until we attain our objective. This solar hybrid power project will enable this institution to improve its security, standard of living for the students, management and staff, as well as provide improved quality of education in a more conducive environment.

“FUPRE is not just experiencing a renewal in its electricity supply, but its students have been properly equipped with a high tech-training and knowledge in solar energy technology to maintain its power source,” he stated.

Omo-Agege said the EEP was conceived in 2016 to support the Federal Government, Ministry of Power and Ministry of Education mission to address development challenges in the country through the provision of electricity and a conducive learning environment that would incubate innovation and advancement.

He said commissioning the project was a joyous moment for not just the university, but also for the region and government of Delta State, being his home state.

“I am thrilled over the expected positive impact this initiative will have in transforming the way our students will learn and live on campus moving forward,” he said.

On his part, Vice Chancellor of FUPRE, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, said the project could not have been implemented at a better time for the university, where both students and staff would experience teaching, learning and research in a more conducive and safer environment with access to clean, safe, reliable and regular electricity supply.

He described the project as a milestone in the history of the university and the entire state, saying he was particularly elated because the 1.35MW solar hybrid power project was a reality and that FUPRE was chosen as one of the beneficiaries.

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