StarTimes To Launch Solar Power Mini-grids In Nasarawa

StarTimes is set to commence solar power generation in Nigeria, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has disclosed.

To this end, the company has unveiled plans to establish a mini-grids model in Nasarawa with the support of the World Bank.

Speaking in Lafia, Governor Sule said the company was taking advantage of the challenges affecting television broadcasting in the country by investing in power generation.

He said he was informed of the move while hosting a delegation from the Chinese firm led by Mr. Pang Xin Xing, group chairman world-wide and Joshua Wang, the chief executive officer of StarTimes Nigeria, at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

“StarTimes is now diversifying into power generation after studying television communication in Africa and Nigeria in particular and realising that one of the challenges that we are having in Nigeria is power.

“They have now diversified to power generation, especially solar. Based on that, they are working with the World Bank and the bank is supporting them to start mini-grids model. Nasarawa State has been selected for that and that explains the reason for the visit by the StarTimes chairman. The first mini-grid is expected to launched by May this year,” he said.

The governor commiserated with the governor and people of Plateau State over the recent security breaches that led to the loss of lives.

He announced that a delegation from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) would visit Governor Caleb Mutfwang to commiserate with him.

He commended security agencies operating in Nasarawa State for all their efforts in maintaining peace in identified trouble spots.

“A lot of efforts have been put in place, especially with regard to the return of Bassa people to their ancestral abode in Katakpa and other parts of Toto LG.

“We sincerely commend the security agencies jointly and in particular commend the chairman of Toto LG, traditional rulers and stakeholders that have equally put in efforts to ensure peace as well as the return of Bassa people,” he said.

The governor also announced that he hosted in his office, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Assistant Inspector-General, Police Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, who was on an assessment visit to police-public relations school in Lafia, preparatory to establishing a Special Protection Unit (SPU) and anti-terrorism unit.

He equally acknowledged the efforts being put in place by the Operation Whirlstroke that is currently reviewing the security situation around especially Nasarawa Eggon and parts of Wamba with a view to addressing threats posed by kidnappers.