The Federal Government has commenced the installation of solar systems in 5,000 households in Abia State. The project is being handled by the World Bank through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in collaboration with the Federal Government.
An NDPHC representative, Engineer Chinonso Ugwueke, who led the installation team to Abia, said the project targets five million households in the country. The households, he said, will benefit from 24-hour uninterrupted solar power outside the national grid.
He stressed that the lawmaker representing Aba South Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita paid for the 3,000 systems to be installed in his constituency as well as sponsored the installation team, The Trumpet gathered.
Speaking, Hon Ichita said that renewable energy had the potential to meet the energy needs of rural communities, especially at a time when the national grid had almost collapsed. He stressed that the solar systems would provide opportunities for “unserved and underserved” communities in his constituency to overcome their power challenges.
Read Also: Oyo police declare man wanted for assaulting pregnant wife
Ichita urged the state government to key into the project, saying renewable energy could provide constant power supply to households and businesses, which would, in turn, boost socio-economic development in rural areas.
“When I discovered this opportunity, I decided to bring it down to my constituency, considering how important Aba is in our march to industrialisation.
“Besides constant power supply, 1000 youths will be taken off the street and get employed along the solar technology value chain,” he added.
The Regional Manager of A-Solar Systems Company, the company that handled the installations, Mr Ibrahim Usman, told Aba South traditional rulers that the initiative (Project) was in furtherance of the Sustainable Development Goal seven (SDG 7), whose target was to provide affordable and accessible electricity off the national grid for rural and semi-urban communities.
Chairman of Aba South Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ibe Enyeazu, commended Hon Ichita for the gesture, saying it would end the power challenges in the rural areas.
