FG Commissions 784 Solar Power Panels

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Federal Government has commissioned the 2nd phase and handover of 784 solar power panels at the Lower Usuma Dam, Bwari Area Council, FCT, Abuja.

The project was funded and constructed by the Japanese government under the Japan Grant Aid for the introduction of clean energy at a cost of JY980 million and will increase the grid capacity by 1.2MW.

At the commissioning of the project, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, reiterated the commitment  of the Federal Government to the achievement of incremental, stable and uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians as echoed in the road map designed by the Ministry aimed at providing regular power supply to Nigerians.

Mr Fashola, represented by the Director of Renewable and Rural Access, Engr. Abayomi Adebisi, pointed out that some other major milestones of the project includes increase in annual energy generation to the tune of 1,498MW per hour and reduction of water treatment electricity bill by N31 million annually, which will in turn reduce the over dependence on fossil fuel.

In his speech, the Minister commended the good people of Japan for initiating the programme and used the occasion to call on private investors to tap into investing in renewable energy sources, assuring them that the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for those interested in coming into the power sector in Nigeria.

On his part, the Ambassador of Japanese Embassy in Nigeria, who was represented by Masaya Otsuka, said that power in Nigeria is among priority in Japan, and also disclosed that this project is the 10th power project executed by JICA in Nigeria, stressing that this will not be the last in the country.

Similarly, the Chief Representative, Japanese International  Corporation Agency. (JICA), Hirotaka Nakamura further stated that haven commissioned the 1st phase with generating capacity of 975kwh in August last year, coupled with an additional  207kwh  totalling 1.2MW is to benefit the water treatment plant at Usuma Dam and the communities within the vicinity.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Musa Bello, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, urged the FCT Water Board to ensure security and regular maintenance of the project, which he pointed out will strengthen bilateral relationships between Nigeria and Japan, adding that it would increase electricity and water supply to the FCT Residence.