By Ismail M. Kabir
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has described Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund as a worthy ambassador of Kogi State.
This declaration was contained in the Keynote address delivered today by the Governor at the official commissioning of solar hybrid mini grid project at Ukpogo Community of Okene local government area.
The governor who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Energy, Hon. Otayite commended the zeal of REA in ensuring that rural communities across Nigeria enjoy steady energy supply through solar power.
However, the Governor urged the agency to extend the community light up project to other deserving rural based facilities across Kogi State.
He emphasized the need to power up the famous Bariki market in Okene with uninterupted solar power for the benefit of the market women.
The REA team has provided a 65kWP Solar Hybrid Mini Grid for the 250-Bed Cottage Hospital in Ukpogo Community of Okene local government and a 5.4kWp Solar Mini Grid for the Government Cottage Hospital, Adavi-Eba in Adavi LGA with the capacity to power most of the hospital equipment round the clock.
Earlier, the team from the rural electrification agency paid a courtesy visit to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Dr. Ado Ibrahim prior to the project commissioning.
The Ohinoyi in his welcome address lauded the giant strides of President Muhammad Buhari in rural electrification and the rebuilding of the nation’s collapsed infrastructures.
Dr. Ado Ibrahim alongside Community elders and members of Ebira traditional council appreciated the President for appointing a Son of The Soil for such an important task of lighting up Nigerian rural communities.
In his address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad assured the community of the agency’s commitment to ensuring all deserving areas benefit from the rural electrification projects.
Engr. Ahmad said that the essence of providing the solar mini grid to the cottage hospitals was to fulfill the federal government’s determination to improving lives at the local communities through steady power supply.
He appealed to the community to protect the facility from vandalization to guarantee better health care delivery to the people of the area.
While appreciating the people for the warm welcome accorded his team, the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare said the agency has received approval for the provision of Solar Street lights for some parts of Okene township.
Dr. Ohiare who spoke in local dialect in appreciation of the pomp and eerie reception of his team to the community by excited women and youth groups thanked President Muhammad Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve the people in such critical sector.
“You all can attest that if I had not been appointed by the President for this assignment, the community may not be enjoying this benefit today”, he said.
Dr. Ohiare recalled that the agency had earlier installed a Solar power grid in Upake community of Ajaokuta LGA, providing 24-hour uninterupted power supply to the entire community just as plans are underway to provide same for the newly approved university of science and technology in Osara, Adavi LGA.
He also thanked Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his cooperation in providing enabling environment for electrification projects delivery in the State.
He further noted that the agency will review the requests for the extension of the mini grids to other parts of Kogi Central.
Dr. Sanusi Ohiare was confered with the title of Oshetehueyi of Ebiraland by the Asema of Upopo Uvete at his palace in Adavi-Eba village of Adavi local government area.