The Federal Government has begun the installation of solar systems in rural areas in Lagos, to mitigate the impact of the removal of subsidies on rural residents.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) specifically constructed solar systems in schools and public health facilities in Makoko, in the Yaba region of the city.
Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), made this statement yesterday while on an inspection trip to some of the schools and hospitals where some of the Solar Home System (SHS) had already been built in Makoko.
Engr Ahmad stated that the deployment was part of the FG’s National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy.
He stated that while the agency’s goal was to offer access to energy for unserved and underprivileged regions, the function is now more of a social service to reduce the community’s environmental and economic difficulties.
According to him, the visit was part of a bigger trip to the South West area, with stops in Osogbo, Osun, and Ijebu-Ode, all in Ogun state.
“What is clear even in the immediate aftermath is that using a de-centralized approach towards electrification of communities such as Makoko is the right approach given the difficulty of operating a traditional grid system.
“We are offering rural dwellers free solar power as part of the ongoing efforts to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the less privileged Nigerians,” he said.