Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, inaugurated 2mw solar powered electricity project at Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS) on Monday to enhance energy supply and youths training in the institution.
Dingyadi inaugurated the project on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said it was part of a project conceptualised to power federal universities and university teaching hospitals across the country.
He said the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) executed the project.
“UDUS is not the only benefitting university in the first phase of the Federal Government’s “Energizing Education Programme (EEP).
“This marks another historical moment to the delight of the Rural Electrification Agency as well as students and staff members of this great institution.
“We all know that electricity is central to everything we do as a society. It enables our economies and communities to thrive.’’ he said.
He also underscored the importance of tackling climate change through the use of responsive, renewable power project for the supply of clean, safe and affordable electricity.
“The project is in fulfilment of our strategic drive to use modern technology to address the issue of climate change and reduce carbon emission by 20 per cent,’’ he stressed.
He reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to efficient supply of electricity through different initiatives to facilitate robust business growth and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.
In his remarks, Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, said UDUS is the eighth university to be energised under the Phase One of the EEP.
He said the UDUS project would provide 8.65km of solar-powered streetlights and a functional workshop and training centre.
He added that the training centre would take off with training of 20 female interns.
“This project is designed to sufficiently serve students and staff members of this institution with clean, safe and reliable energy.
“The Federal Ministry of Power has focused on nurturing this emerging off-grid sector with the right policy initiatives.
“EEP is one of many policy interventions of the Federal Government through the ministry, aimed at closing the energy access gap in learning institutions,’’ Aliyu said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Managing Director of REA, Mr Ahmad Salihijo, said the Phase Two of the EEP project had kicked off with funding from the World Bank under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).
“As an implementing agency of the Federal Government, the REA is committed to ensuring the best and most sustainable delivery of these projects,’’ he said.
Salihijo expressed appreciation of the support of the Sokoto State government and that of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
