Estimated Billing : FG To Meter UNN, Other Universities
https://www.fearlessreports.com/2021/03/estimated-billing-fg-to-meter-unn-other.html
The Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, stated this on Thursday while on inspection of the 100KVA Refuse-Derived-Fuel Gastification Plant for electricity generation designed by the University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN).
Agba who expressed his joy over the conversation of waste to electricity plant said that the government will support the efforts of the University to continue to develop the innovation into a major source of energy in the university and country at large.
He maintained that the development will greatly support the government 's investment in renewable energy infrastructure as a panacea for addressing power challenges in Nigeria.
According to him, "the President has given us mandate to provide six million meters free meters to Nigerians to address the issue of estimated billing. This exercise is ongoing and universities and other tertiary institutions will also benefit. In fact, we will ensure we donate some to UNN".
On the innovation, he said that "I wasn't trying to impress the Vice Chancellor when I said that I'm impressed with what I've seen here. UNN has always set the pace and I'm very happy with this innovation.
When I was told of this, the team lead, Prof. Emineke Ejiogu said they wanted to come to my office in Abuja to present it on video but I said no, I want to come down here and see things for myself so that when I want to present it to the President during Federal Executive Council meeting, I will do it convincingly. I have come and I've seen for myself".
Speaking of the efforts government to improve Power supply in academic institutions and affiliate teaching hospitals in the country, he said that "We have concluded the first phase of the Energizing Education Programme where we have inaugurated solar power plants in ATBU, FUPRE and other universities.
We're about to start the second phase. I'll do all my best to ensure that UNN is one of the very first universities that we'll start the next phase of installation of solar power plant in Federal Universities".
Speaking, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Igwe commended the Minister for his commitment and willingness to support the University to develop the innovation.
The Vice Chancellor however appealed to the federal government to design a special electricity billing regime for universities and other tertiary institutions in the country.
"We want to appeal to the federal government to design a special billing system for us. In UNN, when we get funds from Abuja, what we get for overhead is N7 million but what we pay for electricity alone every month is N70 - N80 million", he said.
The Head of the research team, Prof. Emineke Ejiogu said that the plant was designed and facilitated by the University 's Laboratory of Industrial Electronics, Power Devices, and New Energy Systems (LIEPNES). While saying that the plant is capable of reducing diesel consumption by 60 percent, he disclosed that the team with the support of the University, was already working on expanding the plant from 100KVA to 500KVA.
The Head of the research team, Prof. Emineke Ejiogu said that the plant was designed and facilitated by the University 's Laboratory of Industrial Electronics, Power Devices, and New Energy Systems (LIEPNES). While saying that the plant is capable of reducing diesel consumption by 60 percent, he disclosed that the team with the support of the University, was already working on expanding the plant from 100KVA to 500KVA.
On his part, the President of the Students' Union Government, Comrade Philip lauded the Minister for the visit even as he appeal that the efforts to improve electricity in the university should be intensified.
