After six years without electricity, residents of Etomi community in Cross River State now enjoy reliable, clean, and affordable electricity through the European Union (EU)-funded solar mini-grid project.
The solar project, which provides 119.5kW of electricity to over 600 households and businesses in the community, was implemented by GIZ.
Inga Stefanowicz, head of green and digital economy section, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, explained that the grid is managed under a public-private partnership arrangement to ensure its sustainability and long-term maintenance. A private company is overseeing the operations of the grid, in partnership with the Cross River State Government.
Stefanowicz said the project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, and is aimed to ensure that Nigerians have access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy.
“The provision of reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for domestic and commercial use will boost the social and economic development of the people. I am also glad to say that we are taking electricity to a cocoa-producing community.
This will help their farming activities and processes greatly,” he said.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Eka Williams, explained that the solar mini-grid project is an off-grid system, and expressed the conviction that it would serve the Etomi community very well. “I want to say a very big thank you to my Governor, in partnership with the EU, who has made this possible. We have a replication of this in about four communities in Etung Local Government Area (LGA).”
John Okpa, a resident of Etomi community, expressed excitement, as his community had been without electricity for over six years. He said, “Residents of the Etomi community are happy because the EU has provided us with electricity after six years of darkness. We are grateful to them, and pray that God continues to bless them.”
Precious Jeremiah, another resident of Etomi community, revealed that for seven years, she used a generator to run her hair styling business. This, according to her, comes at a high cost of fueling, repairing, and servicing the generator. “Before the installation of the solar plant, I managed my business using a generator. The cost of fueling the generator is very expensive.
“Since the installation of the solar plant, my customers can come into my shop to get their hair done and enjoy a cool and clean atmosphere devoid of generator smoke and noise. Also, I am able to make enough profit to take care of my household, including paying for the school fees of my children,” she said.
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