BENIN CITY – The Netherlands (Dutch) Embassy in Nigeria through the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), has provided a solar mini-grid to power Kalaba Community in Bayelsa State.
Speaking through a press release on the commissioning of the project, representative of the Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Barrister Nosa Tokunbor, said the 8.5 kw power project was implemented with technical support from Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC).
The solar mini-grid station he stated has been channeled to “Supply electricity to houses in the community, the resuscitated borehole that was hitherto dysfunctional, provision of pumping machine powered by solar, and extension of solar light to the Community Health Centre.”
Over 30 households and a population of about 3,000 people he revealed are benefitting from the Photovoltaic systems including the Community Health Centre, would enjoy water supply from the solar generated power supply from the mini grid.
Barr. Tokunbor, charged the beneficiaries to “Jealously protect and manage this solar-mini grid system to enjoy the maximum benefits especially by children who need the light source to read books at nighttime aside it being a mercy to women who have to cook late at night.”
Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo commended the Netherlands Embassy and the Kalaba Community, stating that the project was in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015 which was to reduce carbon emission and for the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable sources.
He said the project will address reducing deforestation, fuel wood, kerosene and petrol dependence and its related health hazards. He called on the different tiers of government in Nigeria and other donor agencies to focus more resources to direct clean energy delivery to promote energy access to all, especially to vulnerable groups in remote communities such as Kalaba to help such generate green jobs for improved wellbeing.
The people of Kalaba led by their Paramount Ruler, Chief Kolibo Francis, expressed gratitude over the provision of the solar power by the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria. He commended the Netherlands Embassy and ERA/FoEN for the good development gesture, noting that the power project has shone the light on their community and its environs to improve living conditions.
It must be noted that the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria accompanied by the second secretary had earlier paid a courtesy visit to ERA/FoEN office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in 2018 as part of their tour of the Niger Delta region to see firsthand, the despoliation of the environment by the multinational oil companies operating in the region and their impacts on the rural dwellers in the area.
