Netherlands Embassy Provides Solar Energy Mini-Grid To Kalaba Community.

By Lucky Isibor.

The Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria has provided solar  mini-grid for an uninterrupted power supply to Kalaba Community in Bayelsa State. 

In a press release issued on the subject, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said it implemented the project with technical support from Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC) in the establishment of the project.

Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoRN has been at the forefront in advocating for switch to solar energy and other forms of clean energy for the preservation of the environment.

The 8.5 kw power project was completed and commissioned recently by Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Dr. Uyi Ojo who was represented by Nosa Tokunbor Esq.

According to the statement, "The solar mini-grid station has been channeled to supply electricity to houses in the community, the resuscitated borehole that was hitherto dysfunctional, provision of pumping machine powered by solar, and extension of solar light to the Community Health Centre.

"Over 30 households and a population of about 3,000 people are benefitting from the Photovoltaic systems as well as the Community Health Centre, water supply and solar lights receiving power supply from the solar mini grid."

Speaking during the commissioning, the representative of the Executive Director of ERA/FoRN, Barr. Tokunbor charged the beneficiaries to protect the mini-grid properly and manage it prudently so as to read the maximum benefits of the project especially by children who need the light source to read their books at night time and also enhancing women’s cooking during the night fall.

Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN commended the Netherlands Embassy and the Kalaba community and stated that the project was in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015 to reduce carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and the urgency for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Dr Uyi Ojo said that the project will reduce deforestation, fuelwood, kerosene and petrol dependence and the related health hazards. He called on all  levels of government in Nigeria and other donor agencies to focus more resources to direct clean energy delivery to promote energy access to all especially to vulnerable groups in remote communities such as Kalaba to generate green jobs and improved wellbeing.   

The Paramount Ruler of Kalaba, Chief Kolibo Francis, in his remarks expressed gratitude and happiness over the provision of the solar power by the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria. He commended the Netherlands Embassy and ERA/FoEN for the good development gesture, noting that the power project has shone the light on their community and its environs to improve their living conditions.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria accompanied by the second secretary had earlier paid a courtesy visit to ERA/FoEN office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in 2018 as part of their tour of the Niger Delta region to see firsthand the despoliation of the environment by the multinational oil companies operating in the region and their impacts on the rural dwellers in the area.