The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Engineer Ahmad Salihijo, has explained that the recent deployment of mini-grid solar power installations across the country in areas or communities with potential for productive use, particularly around agricultural activities, is to boost agricultural production and alleviate the burden posed by the removal of fuel subsidy.
Salihijo disclosed this in Gurin, Fufore Local Government Area, on Friday, during the inspection of a 100kW solar mini-grid power plant built by the agency through a private developer, Cloud Energy Photoelectric Limited.
The project, in Gurin, a big agricultural community in terms of rice processing, is one of six similar solar-powered installation systems provided by REA under its Mass Electrification for Poverty Reduction Programme to support productive enterprises around agricultural clusters.
According to the REA boss, the idea behind installing the mini-grid to Gurin, is to provide power for processing so that rice miller’s dependency on petrol is reduced.
He further noted that similar projects in the North-East geopolitical zone have seen five other communities also equipped with 100kW solar mini-grid systems.
He said, “Gurin is a hub for Rice milling. The idea is to provide power for the Rice processors so that their dependency on petrol is reduced. In other zones, we have targeted areas where there’s community farming, especially around fishing as well as in border areas where there are a lot of economic activities. The system is designed to prioritise productive users, including agro-processing businesses, homes and public spaces. But the key is to ensure that this project goes to communities that have existing economic activities so that they are able to afford and use the power. The purpose is to boost the agricultural productivity of the country.”
Barka Sajou, Executive Director, Technical Services, REA, was among the employees who accompanied the REA boss on an inspection tour of the 100Kw solar mini-grid system and other projects which are in various stages of completion in Adamawa.
Barka said there were a total of 40 isolated power distribution systems, alone in Adamawa, targeted at rural communities, where agriculture is the predominant activity.
He added that the focus of the project is to incentivize the agricultural process and boost food production.
Sani Gurin, Chairman of the Rice Millers in the area, said the power installation has addressed the power challenges experienced by the rice millers while requesting for expansion of a solar mini-grid to a 300Kw capacity system to help accommodate some of her members.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
