The Uhuafor Nomeh community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State was in a celebratory mood on Friday as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) completed the construction of a solar hybrid mini-grid of 100kWp.
The government said the project would improve the socio-economic conditions of the community and three other neighbouring communities, which have lived without electricity for over 18 years.
It was completed under the Rural Electrification Fund – Call 2 programme of the Rural Electrification Agency(REA).
Commissioning the project, Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by his Special Adviser on power, Joe Aneke, commended REA for its unwavering commitment to bringing sustainable energy solutions to rural communities across the country.
Mbah said the electricity project in Nomeh would bring lasting solutions to the problems of lack of electricity in rural communities.
The governor noted that the project aligns with his agenda to foster innovation, improve rural infrastructure, and create a green, energy-sufficient state.
“Let me thank the Rural Electrification Agency for their collaboration, the dedicated engineers and technicians for their expertise, and, most importantly, the people of Nomeh for your patience and belief in this project as the first mini-grid solar power plant is commissioned in Nomeh,” he said.
He urged the Nomeh community to take full advantage of the project and care for the shared asset, as it is their resource for growth and betterment, saying, “This facility must be protected to ensure it serves the community reliably and sustainably while the network system is extended to connect other households and villages in Nomeh.”
Mbah disclosed his administration’s readiness to work with the Rural Electrification Agency to develop other projects proposed for the State and looked forward to engaging with the agency.
The REA Managing Director/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, represented by the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Doris Uboh, stated that the project is one of the many testaments of the work that the federal government does through REA, connecting last-mile communities to clean, sustainable energy sources and facilitating the growth of socioeconomic systems through productive use.
Aliyu said that President Bola Tinubu prioritises their welfare and that of rural communities across the country and would continue working to ensure no community was left behind.
“This electrification will help the people to navigate and if you manage this thing well, before you know it, the business activities happening in the cities will begin to bubble here,” he said.
“Promise yourself that you will take care of this mini-grid. If you do it, it can grow to even one megawatt. This will easily encourage future expansion to other nearby communities.”
The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe I. O. Mbah, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the implementers of the project for finding the community worthy of providing this kind of infrastructure, which will improve their livelihoods.
