Ekiti Moves To Boost Health Outcomes With Clean Energy

Determined to improve health outcomes by providing electricity infrastructure to Primary Health Centres, the Ekiti State government launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP).

Speaking during the launch in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the project, aside from electrifying health centres, would serve as hubs for the productive use of energy.

This is just as the Team Lead of NISHP, Nigeria Engr. Nasiru Bello disclosed that about 130 health centres and 415 SMEs (small and medium enterprises) will be electrified through the project.

Governor Oyebanji, who was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, said, “The project is an EU-funded project aimed at providing electricity in various health centres and SMEs, small and medium-scale businesses around the health centres, so they can utilise the energy and sustainably pay for power.

“Ekiti is one of seven states participating in this project, and we are among the last two states to join. We are looking forward to its successful implementation. The state has paid its counterpart funding and set up the steering committee.”

Dwelling on the project’s viability, Aluko said it is structured in a way that will make it viable.

He said, “There are in-built sustainability mechanisms. One common challenge with such projects is that infrastructure is provided, but operations and maintenance become difficult over time.

“For instance, when something breaks down, the health centre may not be able to afford repairs; however, in this case, electricity will be provided, paid for, and properly metered.

“It’s not just about installing panels and batteries. As you can see, the system includes solar panels, controllers, inverters, batteries, and meters. This comprehensive setup ensures sustainability”.

Engr. Bello, who spoke alongside NISHP Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Tinyan Ogiehor, revealed that Ekiti state has paid its counterpart fund of one billion naira as one of the seven participating states, which include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Plateau, Gombe and Akwa Ibom.

“The Nigeria Solar for Health Project is being implemented in seven states across Nigeria and funded by the European Union. Ekiti is one of those states. The project is primarily designed to deliver solar energy for electrifying health centres across the state.

“The goal of the project is to improve health outcomes in these centres while using sustainable business models to ensure that funds are collected for maintenance in the future.

“This is not the traditional donor-funded model where projects are executed and abandoned. Instead, through community engagement and structured payments, even if in the form of stipends, these systems will be maintained for years to come. That is the overall aim of the project.”