The Rural Electrification Agency has embarked on the installation of decentralized Solar Home Systems (SHS) in the Makoko area of Lagos State. This initiative aims to address the energy needs of underserved and off-grid communities.
Salihijo Ahmad, the Chief Executive Officer of the agency, recently toured the Makoko community and shared that the project, supervised by the Ministry of Power, aims to provide lighting to rural areas. Ahmad revealed that the Makoko SHS deployment is part of the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy.
He emphasized that the agency’s role in providing access to electricity for unserved and underserved areas extends beyond utility. He explained that it serves as a social service to mitigate the environmental and economic challenges faced by communities, making significant progress in the implementation of the government’s Economic Sustainability Plan.
During his visit to the southwest region, which included stops in Osogbo and Ijebu-Ode, Ahmad stated that the management team would assess the impact of the projects. He reiterated the importance of stakeholder engagement with state governments, community groups, and end-users to gather feedback for consideration.
Highlighting the benefits of a decentralized approach, Ahmad explained, “Using a decentralized approach toward electrification of communities such as Makoko is the right approach given the difficulty of operating a traditional grid system.”
Currently, the agency has installed solar systems in schools, hospitals, and some homes in the Makoko community. Ahmad announced plans to scale up the project by deploying additional decentralised solar systems of 150 watts to critical locations such as schools, hospitals, and essential facilities.
At present, 30 units of solar systems have already been deployed, with the intention to install more. Ahmad underscored the urgency of inspecting the facilities and assessing their impact in the community. He stressed that the solar project would also alleviate the sufferings of people in the community, especially considering the recent subsidy removal.
The implementation of the decentralized SHS project is expected to have a positive impact on rural communities in Nigeria, providing them with access to electricity to power fans, bulbs, and televisions. The entire project is completely free of charge as it is a government intervention under the federal government’s initiative to provide lighting.
The Baale (traditional head) of the Makoko community, Jeje-Aide Albert, expressed his gratitude to the Rural Electrification Agency for bringing light to their previously neglected community. Mr. Albert called on the federal government to continue its efforts in alleviating the suffering of Makoko residents.
This project is a significant step towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development in Nigeria’s underserved communities, setting a positive precedent for future initiatives.
NAN
