Sahara Group to commission rural electrification project in Edo, commits $742mn to CSR

Solomon Ezeme

The Sahara Group, Nigeria’s leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate with international scope said it has finalize plans to launch an electrification project in Ajoki, Edo State by 2022.

This is contained in the conglomerate’s 2020 Sustainability Report obtained by EnergyDay. The report shows a breakdown of the group’s economic, social, and environmental performances across seven of its operating entities also revealed it’s planned investment of US$742 million in host community development as part of it’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The latest sustainability report, the sixth edition by the group titled: “Leveraging Disruption for Growth and Innovation”, highlights it’s leverage on innovation and technology in achieving its corporate goals and sustainability ambitions across its businesses in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Director, Governance and Sustainability, Pearl Uzokwe, Sahara Group, said the commissioning of electrification project located at Ajoki, Ipkoba-Okha, Edo State has been scheduled for earlier next year.

Commenting on the report, she said, “Our commitment to host communities enabled our investment of US$742 million in community development with a focus on COVID-19 relief support.

“We also fixed all cables and panels for the rural electrification project in Ajoki community.

“A project we plan to deliver by 2022. These demonstrate our progress on the sustainability journey,” she stated.

Uzokwe explained the role of the conglomerate in helping to facilitate partnerships and initiatives which have helped develop a desirable future through innovation during the Pandemic.

She said: “We navigated through the global economic and health challenges with continued attention to creating shared value for our stakeholders.

“Our proactive response to the pandemic ensured business continuity.

In the report, Uzokwe further stated that the Group was responsible for the launch of Abuja’s only isolation, recovery and treatment centre equipped with 300 beds for patients; providing and sustaining oxygen supplies for hospitals in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.

The centre also provided dry and cooked food to over one million beneficiaries, face masks, hand sanitizers and relief materials to communities in locations where its power affiliates (Ikeja Electric, Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited), upstream affiliates and other affiliates operate, across Africa.

“In Zambia, Asharami Energy Limited Company donated tens of thousands of hand-made fabric/ Chitenge masks to shore up access to PPE and slow the spread of the virus.

“The company also published materials in English, Bemba, and Nyanja to facilitate the dissemination of information about the pandemic.

“In Kenya, Asharami Synergy Limited donated thousands of 5 litre jerrycans of hand sanitizers, whilst oxygen was donated to hospitals in Nigeria, (through Egbin Power), Ghana as well as Cote d’Ivoire to boost life support operations.

“Our commitment is to make an impact on 1.3 billion Africans as the continent recovers from the pandemic,” she added.

The report recounts how the company was able to develop strategies that helped it scale through amidst the challenges of the Covid-19 era while it undertook its giveback campaigns within areas from which it operates.

“In spite of the challenges faced in 2020, the Sahara Foundation realigned its focus areas to address two new pillars- promoting access to clean energy and fostering sustainable environments as we execute the Group’s Personal and Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) initiatives.

“In 2020, we launched a flagship project, the Sahara Impact Fund, aimed at boosting the UNSDGs in Africa with over $100,000 capacity,” the report reads.