By Stella Odueme
As part of efforts to reduce the increasing cost of electricity and its affordability, as well as providie a conducive environment for learning and carrying out research for students and staff members, the Federal Government has disclosed plans to build mini grids in some higher institutions in the country.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu revealed this when he inspected the Advanced Solar Micro grid project, being built at the University of Abuja.
The project is about 95 percent completed., a statement at the weekend said.
He said the university solar project would be replicated in other universities, tertiary institutions and Teaching Hospitals across the country and it will shield those institutions from the high cost of electricity.
According to him, President Tinubu’s love and believe in education, as the bedrock of economic growth and industrial development, informed the decision to provide alternative sources of energy for the institutions.
“I am delighted to be here today to inspect this project. As you know, no critical sector can perform optimally without stability, functionality, reliability and affordability of energy. Energy is like the blood that every sector needs to perform optimally, which is the reason why President Tinubu has prioritise power as a sector, which will drive the other critical sectors.
“The backbone of economic growth and sustainable long time human capacity and human development lies on education, which is why we have focused on our tertiary institution and teaching hospital facilities, to ensure that they are shielded from the high cost of energy, l” the Minister said.
He also added that the solar project would reduce the reliance of the recipient institutions on the grid.
Adelabu equally called on the University of Abuja authorities to ensure adequate, regular maintenance and protection of the grid.
“We want to replicate what we have here in other institutions. We believe that this will be sustainable. We need the support and co-operation of the beneficiary institutions for it to work and provide the needed service to the students and the university community at large. We will hand over the responsibility and sustainability to the management of the university and I believe you are more than capable to sustain the project.
“We need your cooperation so that we can replicate it in other locations. With this, we are sure that all the hues and cry about the high cost of energy in these institutions will come to an end.
“You cannot have a sound education without electricity. This is why we have prioritised this one that is located in the Federal Capital. The administration of President Tinubu loves education and also believes that it is the bedrock of economic growth and industrial development. This is one of benefits of our democracy”, Adelabu said as he was taken round and shown all the components of the solar energy project.
He announced that the project would be commissioned by President Tinubu himself in December.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, while welcoming the Minister, informed him that the issue of electricity was a major challenge to the institution and the solar project would be a major relieve to the entire university community.
“This visit means a lot to us, as we have been looking forward to it. As you, know electricity is very critical to us. The cost of running our generators is so high because of the high cost of diesel. I often get calls and text messages from our students that there is no light. But this is a big relief to us. University of Abuja is very strategic and everyone in the FCT has interest in the university, because it is the only one with a Federal mandate in Abuja. We are happy, we are delighted with it and we promise that it will be well protected and maintained”, the Vice Chancellor said.
The solar energy project is being handled by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) and Energising Education Programme (EEP).
