The Head of Section, Green Economy, EU Nigeria, Mrs Stephanowicz Inga and Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah, with EU and NTU officials, as well as some members of the Enugu State Executive Council shortly after a meeting with the Governor on the launched Nigeria Solar For Health Project in the State.
By Hezekiah Ovedhe.
In a bid to boost electricity supply in Enugu State Health sector, the European Union (EU) with its partner, NTU, has launched the Nigeria Solar For Health Project in the State. The project, launched in collaboration with the State Government, is being sponsored by the European Union with NTU who implemented the funding.It is aimed at providing mini grid Solar power projects to Enugu State among five (5) other states in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launching and inauguration of the the Nigeria Solar For Health Project Enugu State Steering Committee, which was held at Old Government House Lodged, Enugu, the Head of Section, Green Economy, EU Nigeria, Mrs Stephanowicz Inga, expressed delight to join all officials in the event.
According to her; “The project, as you know, is funded by the European Union with its overall objective to provide 24/7 access to clean, efficient and reliable electricity supply to Primary Health Care facilities in Nigeria and also importantly mitigating the environmental pollution and climate change pollution, such as green gas pollution.
“Electricity is essential in the Health sector, and this has been stressed by the previous speakers for the Health Care services and facilities, other challenges lightening access and everything needed to provide electricity access to the populace.
“With my understanding, in Nigeria, there is an estimated population of 34 – 40% of the public Primary Health Care centres that are only considered functional. Still, out of the 40%, the functional ones are without access to electricity. So, the functional ones get an average of 6-10 hours of electricity supply from the grid and the remaining hours are naturally covered by diesel and fuel generating set. And whatever one can get fingers on, to gets going. It is difficult to imagine the additional environmental pollution and high cost of running some of these public health care facilities.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy that, Enugu State was the first one to key into this project. And it has committed of the project cost of its 30% counterpart funding for this initiative that is going to be deliver through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. We are promoting the SP European Union new model where we shall combine the resources of the State of the European Union and we are getting the private sector involvement.
“We are very happy that this will be a game changer for many health facilities across the country in terms of sustainability of investment made. The Health Care centres are going to be powered with green clean energy along with the communities and business around them”.
She added that: “With the official launch and inauguration of the Steering Committee, the work will start on the integrity. The selection process is going to be finalised. The designs and I hope that soon enough, we will be back in Enugu for the Commissioning and see those health care centres work as much as the business communities around them.
“I use this opportunity to really thank the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Ndubisi Mbah, for showing such a strong support for this project from the onset. Also, pace of his commitment is first of all across the country since this project started. I also thank the MD of the Enugu Rural Electrification Agency and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Bilateral Relations, Mr Dubem Onyia who have really been instrumental to see this project come to limelight.
“I also congratulate the NTU team, our implementing partners on this project for the excellent job well done. Perhaps, on this note, let us all wish a successful launch of this project today for the first time in Nigeria.”
In his remark, the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Ndubisi Mbah, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof Chidiebere R. Onyia expressed delight for the launch of the Nigeria Solar For Health Project here in Enugu State.
He said: “It is my pleasure and honour that I welcome you all to this historic launch of the Nigeria Solar For Health Project here in Enugu State. Today marks a pivotal step in our collective journey towards a sustainable development on improved Health Care delivery to our citizens.
“The project underscores the critical links between access to clean energy, and the health and well-being of our community. It is a vivid reminder that the challenges we face in the Health Care and the Energy Access are interconnected and require innovative and collaborative solutions.
“Enugu has long been committed to improving healthcare outcomes and addressing energy deficits. With the Nigeria Solar For Health Project, we are taking a bold link towards ensuring the primary health care facilities across the State have reliable, uninterrupted energy supply. This initiative aligns perfectly with our administration’s vision to enhance the quality of lives for every citizens of Enugu State.
“The deployment of Solar energy solutions in our health care facilities, means that critical health care services will no longer be disrupted due to power outages. By leverages renewable energy, we are reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to the global fight against climate change. This is a huge leak in our efforts to promote sustainability. In addition, efficiency will be boosted as Health workers will be empowered with the tools and resources needed to provide timely and effective health care. Distinguished Guests, this project is testament to the power of collaboration.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners the European Union, GIZ, UNIDO and the climate fund manager whose technical expertise and financial support have made this project a reality. The partnership further highlights the power of multi-lateralls collaboration in addressing shared challenges. Its also demonstrate that Enugu State is a trusted and capable partners for progress in advancing global development goal.
“As we launch this transformative initiative, I reaffirmed Enugu State’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for progress. With the final draft of our Off-grid Energy strategy in place, we are poised to expand access to clean energy solutions across all sectors. At the heart of this project lies our commitment to make the people the centre piece of every policy we make in Enugu State. We will ensure that the benefits of this project are felt by every community itself.
“Beyond energy however, we are equipping our Health care facilities with State of the Arts, tools and trained personnels. For us, the physical structures are also important, the future truly makes the hospital its name. The goal is ensuring that even in the most backward locations, as it is today, residents there are guarantee of not just good and quality healthcare but the small medium scale enterprises around these Health Care facilities also benefit from renewable energy sources thereby expanding our economic base and adding to our growth towards increasing our GDP from 4.4billion to 30billion dollars.
“While this launch is a significant milestone, it is only the beginning, I called on all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their dedication to this project and ensure that this project becomes a huge success and adds to the significant milestone of this government. Let us take the opportunity to explore synergy that will extend the benefits of Solar energy beyond Healthcare to other vital sectors such as Education and Agriculture. As you see in our Smart Green Education also in our Agriculture programme such as the Special Agro Processing Zone.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Nigeria Solar For Health Project is more than an Energy Initiative. It is a symbol of hope, resilience and progress in Enugu State, together, let us harness the power of innovation and collaboration to build a brand a brighter and healthy future for all citizens of Enugu State.
“On behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, stakeholders and every individual who has contributed to this project getting to this very point. I thank you for your vision, dedication and your support. May this project inspire us all to continue striving for excellence in the service of humanity. Thank you for listening and indeed our tomorrow is here.”
While introducing the project, the Programme Manager Energy Access, EU Nigeria, Mr Geoffrey Ogbemudia, said; “EU Strategy to invest in Smart, Clean and secure infrastructure in digital, energy, transport sectors, and strengthen Health, education research systems across the world, which tackles inequality and put the Sustainable Development back on track.
“Africa EU Green Energy Initiative targets at increase the of African People, businesses and industries, with affordable, modern and sustainable services, support renewable generation, promote energy efficiency, by 2024.
“The main goal is that by 2023, 100 million people with access to electricity and C3.4 billion EU grants delivered through Team Europe Initiative to support renewable efficient electricity supply across Africa.The EU has been in partnership with Nigeria in the Power Sector since 2008. And committed over 200 million Euros to the power sector for both on and off grid Initiative between 2008 and 2020.
“The EU just committed 37 million Euros to a new energy access program with 7 projects under the current MFF 2021-2027. It will commit more funds further after 2024 mid term evaluation of the Mubi annual indicate programme in 2026.”
Earlier on in his speech, the State Commissioner for Health, Associate Prof Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, opined that; “the essence of everything that is happening is that the EU, NTU and Enugu State partnership is targeted towards turning our Primary Health Care Centres and other Health Care facilities into mini grid Solar Power Project. Mini grid being that, the Project will provide for the Health Care Facilities, to have 24/7 uninterrupted alternative Power Supply and also be able to provide SMES around the healthcare facilities with an uninterrupted power.
“It’s an innovative one that Enugu State held about its in July and very quickly, we did whatever was necessary to check the boxes to allow us be among the first to be in this innovative project, to be able to show the world what we are interested in because Enugu is big on development.
“We are trying to develop Education, we are trying to develop Health and we are trying to provide mini grid like power solutions to smallest administrative units and we are trying to see how many Wards can be reach in our own geographical area. So, as much as possible, we want to see how many Wards can be reached . For Enugu, we have so many Primary Health Care facilities.
“When it comes to Health Care facilities, we have quite so many of them. We have about 567 Primary Health Care facilities and about 57 Secondary Health Care facilities. But this project as we have heard with the EU partnership with the NTU and counterpart fund from the Enugu State was Government, we are looking at 25 Primary Health Care facilities and be able to provide 75 SMES within the areas the 25 primary health care facilities are located. The Committee was inaugurated by the Secretary to Enugu State Government. Prof. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi represented the State Governor, Barr Peter Ndubisi Mbah showing full commitment of the State Government to the project.
“The team that has come intend to visit other power possibilities that are within Enugu State. Enugu State in this administration was one of the first States to move very surely to bring its own Electricity law, that tells you that Enugu is ready for Electricity investment in the State and we are willing to control our own Electricity because we also have Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Please come and invest in Enugu, Enugu is ready for the World.”
In an interview with newsmen, the Executive Secretary Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, said: “I am happy to announce to you that, out of the various States that were spoken to regarding this flagship project in Nigeria, Enugu State is the first State that is inaugurating this flagship project in the country. The primary health care sector as we know is a very important health care sector. It is literally the tree that holds all of the health care sectors together.
“It provides health care delivery to people at the level of the community at affordable and accessible cost without having to break a bank. But you will agree with me that for us to be able to deliver such qualitative service, we need uninterrupted power and that is hardly the situation right now with the frequent grid failure to the over reliance on generator, the high consumption cost and essentially the cost that goes into running all of these services.
“Having this project is very pivotal to the Enugu State Primary Health Care at this particular time. It is coming at a time when the Enugu State Government is investing in the Primary Health Care sector by ensuring that it builds a standard, modern world -class time by ensuring it builds a standard healthcare centres in every political ward
That means, every ward has one primary health care thereby making it a total of 260 health care centres across the State. “,he concluded.