By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has inaugurated the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) to provide solar power to over 25 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Governor said the initiative is aimed at strengthening healthcare service delivery, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the project’s Steering Committee, Mutfwang explained that the initiative, supported by the European Union (EU), is designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to PHCs, to enable them offer better healthcare services.
He said, “We are particularly delighted that this collaboration is taking off. When the idea was conceived, the request for counterpart funding was quite challenging to approve.
“However, thank God we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Soon, we will witness the kind of upgrade our health facilities desperately need come to fruition.
According to him, “This is not about politics; when we assumed office, Dr. Raymond Juryit can confirm, we have over a thousand primary health care centres, and I don’t think up to five percent were functional or in good condition.
“However, we are taking steps to address this. Just last week, we awarded contracts for the renovation of 82 primary health care centres in the State. We trust God that we will exceed this threshold this year to improve the quality of healthcare available to our people”, he explained.
“One critical component of quality healthcare is energy; without energy, we cannot install the machines needed for accurate diagnosis.
“As it stands, much of the diagnosis in our primary health care centres; if it exists at all, is based on guesswork”, he decried.
“Consequently, we are losing valuable human lives and manpower due to poor healthcare services.
“As a government, we are determined to improve this situation. By God’s grace, we will turn things around in our health sector”, Mutfwang assured.
“We appreciate the EU for this collaboration and hope this is just the beginning of a more robust and fruitful relationship”, he maintained.
On the issue of energy, the Governor said, “we are proud to announce that Plateau State has virtually established the Plateau State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Plateau State Electricity Market, and the energy regulatory framework.
“Hopefully, before the week runs out, we will formally constitute these two establishments”, he assured.
“What we need now to take off is institutional support, both in terms of technical expertise and guidance, to ensure these institutions are established and operate effectively”, he stressed .
“Thank you for agreeing to be our partner and friend. I assure you that when your tour of duty ends, you will look back at Plateau State as one of your success stories”.
Earlier, Mrs. Inga Stephanowicz, Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy, EU-Nigeria, noted that the project focuses on delivering clean and renewable energy solutions to improve healthcare. She commended the Plateau State Government for fulfilling its obligation by providing 30% counterpart funding for the initiative.
“Access to steady electricity is indispensable for effective healthcare delivery. Research indicates that only 40% of functional PHCs in Nigeria have regular power supply, which hinders their efficiency.
“The NISHP project aims to reverse this trend,” she explained. Stephanowicz also revealed plans for the construction of a hydro-solar power plant at Assop Falls in Riyom LGA to complement the solar energy supply.
Also speaking, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, added that the project will establish solar mini-grids at 25 PHCs across the state with a view to positively impacting healthcare delivery and boosting economic activities.
“Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of 75 small businesses located within these facilities. For this phase, at least one PHC per LGA will benefit,” he said.
The nine-member Steering Committee for the project is chaired by Mr. Ponzing Gamde, Executive Director of the Plateau Energy Corporation, with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Clestus Shurkuk, serving as co-chair while the Secretary to the State Government, Arc. Samuel N. Jatau is among other members.
