REA to provide solar power to FULafia

|By Mary Ishaya

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is set to provide solar hybrid power plant to Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) under the Energising Education Programme (EEP)

This development was disclosed by Engr. Chigbo Nwafor, the team leader of the REA during the site handing over of the project in Federal University of Lafia.

Chigbo said that the project, which is managed by the Rural Electrification Agency (EEP), was funded by the World Bank.

He listed the project implementation items to include solar hybrid power plants, upgrade of the short network, provision of solar street lights, and other innovative projects.

According to Nwafor, the sustainability plan of the project would include the training of 100 students on solar power, renewable energy and solar installation, training of the technical staff of the University on repairs and maintenance of solar power equipment, among others.

He emphasised the need for gender mainstreaming to encourage female participation in the project.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, (FULafia), Prof. Shehu Abdul-Raman, expressed his gratitude to the REA for its intervention in the University, saying that the intervention was timely.

He said that the facility would be useful to the University community considering its growing population and cost of electricity.

The vice-chancellor was particularly delighted about the sustainability plan of the project, noting that it would enhance skill development of the staff and students.

He promised that the University would cooperate with the REA and contractors by providing them enabling environment for the actualisation of the project.