On October 31, 2019, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its Implementing Agency – Rural Electrification Agency (REA), commissioned a 100KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant in Akpabom Community, Onna Local Government Area. The project, which is the third to be commissioned under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), will provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity for the community members.
The REA Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its developmental goals by providing electricity access for all. Reiterating REA’s role, she stated that “as an agency, we are responsible for powering unserved and underserved communities, therefore, it is fulfilling every time homes, businesses, schools and medical centers are connected to sustainable solar power. Almost immediately, we are able to witness rural communities being transformed with clean energy through the jobs that are created during construction, to their micro and small businesses scaling to larger capacity thanks to reliable electricity.”
The Head of Oniong Clan in Akpabom, His Royal Highness Obong Barr. Samuel Johnson Efik, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the private sector developer for providing electricity to their small community. “Our businesses are now fully operational; especially at night. Our fishermen are able to preserve their fish and businesses, in general, are growing. Today is indeed the beginning of better things to come for Akpabom.”
GVE Projects Limited Chief Executive Officer, Ifeanyi Orajaka, shared that the installed mini grid comprising a total of 306 solar panels and a distribution network cable of 5.5k m will adequately energize the community. He also mentioned that fifty-eight jobs were created as a result of local labor. “It is a thing of pride that GVE, an indigenous Nigerian firm, can be a part of developing Nigeria’s rural areas. Thanks to this project, Nigerian solar developers, like myself, can access these investment opportunities and participate in growing Nigeria’s evolving off-grid sector.”
Akpabom Community now joins Upake (80KW) in Kogi State and Kare-Dadin Kowa and Tsulaye (98.8KW) in Kebbi state in experiencing social and economic progress thanks to the solar mini grids project under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).