13th August, 2017
The Governor of Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed, says the state government plans to deploy solar energy systems to villages, small scale businesses and key government establishments to boost electricity supply.
He made the disclosure on Sunday when he received the National President, Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, Otunba Dele Akintola at the Government House, Ilorin.
According to the governor, the plan, when materialised, will also enhance economic activities of the state.
He said the move would provide an alternative source of energy supply to critical sectors of the state economy, instead of waiting endlessly for energy supply through the current hydro-thermal energy source.
“Those to benefit from the proposed solar energy systems include Water Corporation, hospitals, villages, small businesses and isolated critical government areas.
“Energy is the most important ingredient and determinant of economic growth and development of any country in the world,” the governor said.
Ahmed said the first phase of Light up Kwara had commenced with the erection of street light across major roads within Ilorin, the state capital.
He promised to extend the solar powered street light to other towns in the second phase.
Speaking earlier, Akintola said he was at the Government House to acquit the governor about the readiness of some investors to build solar power stations in the state.
He appealed to the governor to consider the proposal and provide two 250 hectares of land for the proposed project.
Akintola said that the project would create employment opportunities for the teeming youth and boost the state economy.
He also said the United Nations was supportive of states or countries investing in the reduction of environmental pollution and appealed to the governor to buy into the proposal.