FG sets to establish 42MW solar plants in Maiduguri
Oredola Adeola
After many months of being in total blackout due to attacks on transmission lines by terrorist groups, the Federal Government has promised to established about 42 MegaWatt solar plants in Maiduguri, Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President at the official handing over of Muhammadu Indimi International Learning Centre and Conference Hall at University of Maiduguri at the weekend.
Professor Osinbajo said that the federal government has approved the setting up of thirty megawatts solar power plants to critical areas of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
The VP also revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency(REA) , another agency of the FG, would also establish a twelve megawatts solar facility at University of Maiduguri. Giving a total of 42MW solar facility to be installed in the state.
He said, “The Muhammadu Indimi International Learning Centre and one thousand seater world class conference centre was inaugurated in December last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Vice President is handing over the multi-billion naira edifice to the management of University of Maiduguri.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo said “The University of Maiduguri has been captured under the second phase of Energising Education Programme in addition to a training centre.
“The project will also include a training centre and is modelled around similar projects that have already been completed at Bayero University Kano (BUK), the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS) and the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (FUNAI).
“I am pleased to announce that through the Economic Sustainability Plan approved by Mr. President, NNPC, REA and Yola DISCO are partnering with my Office and the Office of the Governor of Borno to deploy 30MW of Solar Power to critical areas of Maiduguri.
The VP noted that the project will be 6 Solar Plants of 5MW each to augment grid supply and protect against energy sabotage.
Babagana Zulum, Borno state Governor described Alhaji Indimi as a pillar in the rehabilitation and recovery effort.
He also commended the FG for the solar power intervention.
Donor of the Project Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi stressed the need for collaborative effort among well meaning Nigerians to address the growing number of out-of-school children.
Indimi, who is also the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, also noted that his foundation will construct a N600m solar-powered village consisting of 100 units of 3-room houses for persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
