Niger: Relief as community gets free electricity after 100 years
A community in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State has received a free 90kw hybrid mini-grid to provide free electricity for over 305 households.
The mini-grid which was donated to the Gbanga community by Engie Energy Access was commissioned on Wednesday by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello.
Speaking during the launch of the mini-grid, the Managing Director of Engie Energy Access, Bankole Cardoso, noted that the provision of electricity to the said community marked its first encounter with power supply.
He added that the power supply which had been providing electricity for the people of Gbangba since November 2021 empowered over 300 consumers.
“With this mini-grid, Engie Energy Access connects the people of Gbangba community in Niger State to electricity power supply for the first time ever and empowers over 300 consumers comprising households, and micro and small enterprises.
”The Mini-grid directly impacts over 1,500 by providing them with affordable, reliable and clean electricity.
“This mini-grid will foster socio-economic development and prosperity in the Gbangba community, its people and its neighbours. It will serve private households and commercial businesses,” he stated.
He also said that Nigeria’s electricity challenges remained a huge gap that needed to be filled in the country’s journey to fulfil its full potential as a nation.
”It will boost the productivity of farmers and food production by powering agricultural loads such as irrigation, pumping and cold storage, productive loads such as grinding mills, wood or metal working shops and semi industries such as telecom towers and processing plants,” Cardoso remarked.
The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, during the inauguration, said the power project was a result of concerted efforts – to change the negative narratives – and stimulate economic activities in the rural areas whilst improving the standards of living in the state.
Commending Engie Energy Access, he said that the mini-grid in the community would catalyze many businesses that would spring up within the short possible time which would invariably upgrade the economic status of women and youths within the environment, as well as go a long way in improving their standards of living.
The Governor then urged the benefiting community to own the project and guide it against any form of vandalism, in order to serve them optimally and efficiently.
Subsequently, the village head of the community Ibrahim Mammud said they were finally enjoying 24 hours uninterrupted power supply after over 100 years.
He said that the community had never been connected to the national grid and the residents used generators for all activities that had to do with electricity.
He added that they were asked to pay the sum of N1,000 to get electricity adding that it was a welcome development as they had never imagined or dreamt that they would ever get electricity in the community – which has now become a reality. Punch
