The Federal Government with funding support from the World Bank has kicked off a 2.5MW solar hybrid power project at the Afaka Campus of Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, The PUNCH reports.
The project being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency under the Energizing Education Programme phase two, according to the contractors – Dongfang Electric Corporation – Mutual Commitment Company, a Chinese firm, would be completed in 12 months.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the groundbreaking ceremony shortly after the passing-out-parade of the 69th Regular Course cadets of the NDA, charged the REA as a supervisory agency to ensure that a high standard and quality project that would ensure sustainable power supply, was built for the prestigious military academy.
Buhari was represented at the event by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd).
The President said, “I welcome you all to the groundbreaking event which marks the commencement of the 2.5MW solar hybrid power project under the Energizing Education Programme phase ll being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency with financial support from the World Bank.
“This intervention started with EEP phase 1, which was financed by the Federal Government through the Green Bond. The programme is already providing sustainable energy to students and staff members of seven Federal universities across the geo-political zones of Nigeria.
“On this occasion, I have the honour to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the commencement of a 2.5MW solar hybrid power plant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka Campus.
“I want to assure the contractors, Messes Dongfang Electric Corporation-Mutual Commitment Company), the unflinching support of the Federal Government as they embark on building this project that will also provide streetlights, rehabilitation of the distribution network and a renewable workshop/training centre at the NDA.
“With REA as the implementing agency, we expect nothing but a high standard and quality project that will ensure sustainable power supply to this prestigious military academy.”
On his part, the Managing Director of REA, Salihijo Ahmed, said the project was part of the efforts of the Federal Government to ensure equitable distribution of power supply to communities as well as Nigerian universities.
He noted that apart from the NDA, where he also graduated, at least seven other Nigerian universities spread across the six geographical zones were beneficiaries of phase one of the project.
Among the seven universities, he said, are Bayero University, Kano; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal University of Petroleum, Efurun; Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; as well as Federal University Ndufu -Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi.
According to him, the agency intends to deliver a world-class solar plant to the foremost military university upon completion.
The REA boss said, “Why NDA? NDA because it’s a prestigious university and part of a few other seven universities, and two teaching hospitals were chosen within this particular phase two of the EEP project which we have successfully completed for the first phase. This is just a replica of what we have done in the first phase with funding from the World Bank.
“The idea of the 2.5MW is to complement the supply with the national grid. As it stands, the capacity that the university currently demands is far less than the 2.5mw.”
REA Chairman, Hon. Danlami Mohammed Kurfi, also assured that the agency would provide reliable electricity that would impact positively the staff and cadets (students) of the military university.
