Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has inaugurated the 80kw solar mini grid
electricity project that will provide uninterrupted power supply to Kurdula
community of Gudu LGA of Sokoto State.
The event was attended by the Minister of State for Power, Works and
Housing, Sulaiman Hassan Zarma, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria
and ECOWAS, Ketil Karlsen, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dietmar Kreusel
and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
Speaking at the occasion, Tambuwal said more than 500 households, made up
of 4000 inhabitants, are to enjoy enhanced access to electricity supply.
“Today’s event marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort towards
ensuring sustainable growth through renewable energy sector development. It
has now become absolutely necessary to take advantage of the ongoing
renewable energy effort to ensure self-sufficiency in energy for economic
development.
“Mini grid powered by renewable sources is the best option for us to expand
electricity access in the rural areas where the national grid is not
available,” Tambuwal added.
While saying that his administration will continue to work closely with all
stakeholders to expand areas of cooperation for the benefit of the
citizenry, Tambuwal tasked community leaders and residents to ensure
adequate security for equipment and personnel handling the project.
The Governor said the project, a key component of his administration’s
rural development initiative, is co-funded by the European Union and
jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and
the German international development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It also has the supported by the
Nigerian Energy Support Program (NESP).
Also speaking at the occasion, both the EU and German Ambassadors to
Nigeria expressed optimism that the introduction of solar mini grid would
expand access to electricity not just in Kurdula, but in other areas of the
country.
Karlsen especially noted that over 1.5 billion people globally lacked
access to electricity, and that many Nigerians do not have access to cheap,
affordable and steady electricity.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Power, Works & Housing, expressed
the readiness of the federal government to work with partners on energy
solutions.
He said the Kurdula mini grid electricity project is one of the six
currently supported by NESP in six states of the federation.