By Monday Ajogun
The Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and Okomu Oil Palm Company (OOPC) have urged residents of Gbelebu community in Edo to protect the mini-grid solar power facility donated to the community.
Dr Effiong Essien, Director of Programmes at PIND, made the call on Thursday while delivering his keynote address at the inauguration of a 160-kilowatt battery storage mini-grid solar power project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okomu Oil Palm Company is the funding partner, while PIND is the implementing partner and ETINPower is the manager of the project.
According to Essien, the commissioning of the Gbelebu Community Energy Solution is an investment that will bring clean, reliable and affordable electricity to households and businesses in the community.
“I commend Okomu Oil Palm Company for funding this project through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, and for demonstrating that responsible citizenship should create lasting value for host communities.
“PIND is proud to have facilitated this project from concept development through community engagement and technical training, as reliable electricity will reduce dependence on costly diesel and petrol generators,” he said.
Essien said reliable electricity is more than infrastructure, as it remained an enabler of livelihoods, enterprise growth and community resilience.
On the sustainability of the project, he urged the community to support it and ensure that they worked effectively, inclusively and transparently.
“The sustainability of this facility cannot rest with OOPC, PIND or ETINPower. Its long-term success will be determined by how the community protects it, pays for the services it receives and preserves it for future generations,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Graham Hefer, Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, said the inauguration of the mini-grid is more than the switching-on of a facility.
According to him, it is a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to development.
“It is a demonstration that when the private sector, government and development partners such as PIND work hand in hand, transformative change is not only possible but achievable within our lifetime.
“I urge you all to take ownership of this infrastructure, take care of it and protect it from being vandalised. Today, it is now yours and yours forever,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Yinka Omoregbe, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of ETINPower Ltd., said that Okomu and PIND had further demonstrated their social responsibility initiatives by putting smiles on the faces of the people.
Omoregbe explained that the grid had a storage capacity of 160 kilowatts and would power the entire community.
He described PIND as a great partner that had made the inauguration possible.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Enoch Sulubor, the Amananawei of Gbelebu, expressed gratitude to Okomu Oil Palm for the numerous projects it had provided for the community.
On his part, Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo commended Okomu, PIND and ETINPower for the laudable initiative.
The governor said the project was beyond providing electricity but an investment in the people, their livelihoods, economic opportunities and quality of life.
Okpebholo, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, said the state government recognised the importance of corporate social responsibility.
He added that responsible businesses could make a lasting difference in their host communities through interventions in electricity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AJOM/AUO/CHOM