In an effort to address the energy needs of underserved and off-grid communities, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has begun the installation of decentralised Solar Home Systems (SHS) in the Makoko area of Lagos State.
The Makoko SHS deployment is part of the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy, aimed at providing access to electricity for unserved and under-served areas. The initiative also aligns with the government’s Economic Sustainability Plan.
Mr Salihijo Ahmad, the Chief Executive Officer of the REA, made this known during an inspection visit to the Makoko community on Saturday.
Ahmad emphasized that the project was not just a means of bridge energy supply but also a social service to mitigate the environmental and economic challenges faced by the community. With a decentralised approach to electrification, the difficulties associated with operating a traditional grid system can be overcome.
The solar systems installed six months ago in schools, hospitals, and homes in the Makoko community were subjected to inspection during the visit. The aim was to test and deploy a more powerful decentralised solar system of 150 watts to critical locations such as schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities to enhance their effectiveness.
So far, approximately 30 solar units have been deployed, with plans to increase the deployment in the future. The impact of the installation and its benefits to the community will be assessed and considered.
Despite the recent subsidy removal, Ahmad assured that the solar project would help alleviate the suffering of the people in the community. The decentralised SHS is expected to have a positive impact on rural communities by empowering schools, hospitals, and households to power fans, bulbs, and televisions.
The Baale (traditional head) of the Makoko Community, Mr Jeje-Aide Albert, expressed his excitement about the development and commended the agency for bringing life to rural communities. He also urged the Federal Government to do more to alleviate the suffering of the residents, noting that the Makoko community had been neglected for years.
By harnessing the power of the sun, the installation of solar power systems in the Makoko area of Lagos State by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) signifies a groundbreaking step in providing electricity to underserved and off-grid communities. The project, which falls under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy, aims to address the energy needs of these communities and enhance their overall well-being.
Speaking during an inspection visit, the CEO of REA, Mr Salihijo Ahmad, explained that the installation of Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Makoko is more than just a means of bridging the energy supply gap – it is a social service designed to alleviate the environmental and economic challenges faced by the community. By adopting a decentralised approach to electrification, the project circumvents the difficulties associated with operating a traditional grid system.
The inspection visit also served as an opportunity to assess the impact of the solar systems installed six months earlier in schools, hospitals, and homes within the Makoko community. The aim was to test and deploy a more powerful decentralised solar system, capable of providing 150 watts of electricity to critical locations such as schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities. The success of this endeavour, which has seen the deployment of approximately 30 solar units, will guide future scaling-up efforts.
Despite the recent removal of subsidies, Mr Salihijo Ahmad assured that the solar project would alleviate the suffering of the people in the community. By providing decentralised Solar Home Systems (SHS), schools, hospitals, and households will have access to power, enabling them to operate essential appliances such as fans, bulbs, and televisions. This development is expected to have a positive impact on rural communities throughout Nigeria.
Making a statement on behalf of the Makoko community, the Baale (traditional head), Mr Jeje-Aide Albert, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the solar power initiative. He applauded the Rural Electrification Agency for bringing light and hope to rural communities that have long been neglected. Mr Albert also appealed to the Federal Government to further alleviate the suffering of Makoko residents.
