FG Restores Light To C'River Community After 5-Years Of Darkness

Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba OFR, supported by the representative of the MD of REA, Engr. Bakar Sajou (Executive Director, Technical Services, REA) to formally commission the 609kWp solar power plant in Okangha-Mpkansi community. 

The federal government on Friday inaugurated a 60KVA solar mini-grid power plant in Okangha-Mpkansi community in Ikom local government area of Cross River State. The community, known for palm and cocao farming and petty trading has not had light for over five years. Performing the inauguration ceremony, Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba OFR, assured that the government will continue to optimize the solar energy technology to power and increase socioeconomic activities in communities across the country. Agba said that the government's solar electricity drive in rural communities is aimed at creating jobs and improving local socioeconomic status of Nigerians living in rural areas.

He noted that with access to clean, steady and sustainable electricity in the community, small-scale businesses will spring up and a lot of entrepreneurs would be empowered to do their small business with ease. The Minister assured that "with REA continously following the right technical standards and specifications in the deployment of energy projects, Nigerians will continue to receive the best energy installations across the nation"..

While noting that renewable energy solutions is helping to close the elecltricy gap in the country, he however urged the community Okangha-Mpkansi community "to take advantage of the intervention to better their lives and improve the status of this community".

Also speaking, the Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade commended the Minister and the federal government for the several electricity projects and interventions in the state.

Ayade, represented by the Commissioner of Power, Hon. Victor Agwu recalled that "just last week, we were in Obanliku, commissioning and breaking grounds for another solar power project. As a state, we want to express our gratitude to the Honourable Minister and the President for making this happen.

Commissioner of Power, Hon. Victor Agwu

Electricity enlivens the socioeconomic activities in communities such as this. Therefore, the importance of providing adequate and reliable electricity in places like this cannot be overemphasized".

Ayade added that "it is important to point out that with the provision of this reliable electricity, this magnificent community is expected to witness growth in business and productivity. We therefore applaud the REA for this very commendable initiative and for giving Okangha-Mpkansi one more reason to explore growth possibilities through agriculture, manufacturing and processing ".

On his part, the Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salijo averred that the Federal Government was sincerely committed to improving energy access across the nation using a range of renewable energy solutions. Salihijo who was represented by the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Bakar Sajou disclosed that the 60KWP solar mini-grid plant was one of the many projects being equitably deployed across the nation and funded under the Federal Government’s Capital Appropriation.

Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Bakar Sajou

While charging the community to protect the facility, he maintained that , ”This is part of Federal Government’s mandate to improve energy access across the nation using a range of renewable energy solutions, the REA under the Federal Ministry of power is committed to ensuring the deployment of the best standard energy facilities, equitably across the nation. This 60KWP solar hybrid mini-grid and many other projects across the nation is a testament to the electrification efforts of the Federal government and it is a continuous process that has shown great promises". He assured that "we plan to do all it takes to ensure that Nigeria’s massive renewable energy resources are efficiently utilized and evenly deployed across the nation" . Speaking on behalf of the Okangha Mkpansi Community, Elder Egan Anohobi commended the Federal Government for the project while assuring that the community has taken key three steps to ensure the project is protected.

Honourable Minister with the Director of Promotion, REA, Mr. Ayang Ogbe

Anohobi said that ”We have been in darkness since 2016 until 2021 when the Federal government surprised us with a bumper package of solar street lights and electricity in our homes for domestic and small scale businesses. The provision of infrastructure like electricity to rural communities is a great boost to economic and social development, we sincerely thank President Buhari, Jeddy Agba, and REA for implementing the project in our community and making many dreams come true.

We know that to whom much is given, much is expected. We want to assure you that our community has taken ownership of the project and have crafted the following project sustainability plan to protect it from vandalism and theft of its vital components.

These are, formation of Okangha-Mpkansi Electricity Users Cooperative Society, training of technical team to carry out maintenance and monitoring in compliance with best practices in electricity usage and formation of Youths vigilante/security groups".