The Federal Government has said it is committed to building mini-grids in some higher institutions across the country as part of efforts to reduce the cost of electricity consumption.
According to the government, the commitment would help to provide a conducive environment for learning and carrying out research for students and staff members, as well as ensure more sustainable and affordable energy solutions for hospitals, universities, polytechnics, and other higher learning facilities.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, when he inspected the Advanced Solar Microgrid project being built at the University of Abuja, according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the president on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji.
Adelabu said the project would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in December, disclosing that it was about 95 per cent completed.
Speaking during the visit, the minister said the university solar project would be replicated in other universities, tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s love and belief in education as the bedrock of economic growth and industrial development informed the decision to provide alternative sources of energy for the institutions.
“As you know, no critical sector can perform optimally without stability, functionality, reliability and affordability of energy. Energy is like the blood that every sector needs to perform optimally, which is the reason why President Tinubu has prioritised power as a sector, which will drive the other critical sectors.
“The backbone of economic growth and sustainable long time human capacity and human development lies on education, which is why we have focused on our tertiary institution and teaching hospital facilities, to ensure that they are shielded from the high cost of energy”, the minister said.
He also added that the solar project would reduce the reliance of the recipient institutions on the grid.
Adelabu equally called on the University of Abuja authorities to ensure adequate, regular maintenance and protection of the grid.
“We want to replicate what we have here in other institutions. We believe that this will be sustainable. We need the support and cooperation of the beneficiary institutions for it to work and provide the needed service to the students and the university community at large.
“We will hand over the responsibility and sustainability to the management of the university, and I believe you are more than capable of sustaining the project. We need your cooperation so that we can replicate it in other locations. With this, we are sure that all the hues and cries about the high cost of energy in these institutions will come to an end.
“You cannot have a sound education without electricity. This is why we have prioritised this one that is located in the Federal Capital,” Adelabu said.
