By Philip Yatai

Rep. Donatus Mathew (LP-Kaduna) has installed solar-powered streetlights in rural communities in Kaura Local Government Area of the state to address energy poverty in furtherance of his constituency projects.

Mathew told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, that rural electricity, though very critical, has always been in short supply for both households and small businesses in remote communities.

According to the lawmaker representing Kaura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, power is very critical to improving the quality of lives of the rural population.

“Most times, particularly during the rainy season, electricity from the national grid is always off, and people are than left in the dark.

“This is making it very difficult for people to carry out their commercial and everyday activities.

“The epileptic supply of electricity in rural areas also allows criminal elements to carry out their evil in the dark unabated.

“It is also challenging for people to carry their sick ones to the hospital at night because it is usually dark everywhere due to the lack of constant supply of electricity,” he said.

The lawmaker told NAN that to address the challenge, he has provided solar panels and accessories for installation in strategic locations.

He added that streetlights were being installed across all the political wards in the local government area to ensure that no community is left out.

“So far, we have installed more than 200 solar streetlights, and more are coming until we saturate most communities in my constituency.

“This sustainable renewable energy will brighten various communities and villages at night,” Mathew added.

He described rural energy poverty as a complex and multi-dimensional issue that must be addressed to give rural dwellers a sense of belonging.

This, he said, would have a significant impact on residents’ quality of life and health, individual income and welfare.

“If we light up our rural communities, economic activities will flourish, people will move around easily in the dark and quality of life would improve.

“What we are doing may seem small but the impact is beyond measure,” he said.

The lawmaker reiterated his commitment to sustaining the implementation of people-oriented projects that would impact lives. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim