Abia, 5 Others to Benefit from European Union’s Solar for Health Project – Kanu

Abia State is among the States that will benefit from the European Union’s Solar for Health project, a €2 million initiative mapped out for six states across Nigeria to power health facilities.

The Abia State Commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu, while noting that Abia will contribute €624,000 towards implementing the project, revealed that the Solar for Health project is aimed at using renewable energy to support healthcare delivery.

“Abia State is one of the few States selected under this EU-sponsored project, whereby the EU will bring 70% finance and Abia State will bring 30% counterpart funding for this project.

“Of course, when this project is launched, it will light up a minimum of nine health facilities across the State,” Kanu added.

The project is scheduled to be officially launched in Abia next week.

The Information Commissioner further disclosed that the State Government has signed a six-point Memorandum of Understanding with a major telecom company to transform Abia into a leading digital hub in Africa.

According to him, the MoU targets 100% broadband coverage and includes digital infrastructure, a digital mall for SMEs, device ownership for civil servants, 4G/5G rollout, and a state-run digital marketplace.

He revealed further that the State Government had submitted a bid for the acquisition of 60% assets from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and that negotiation has reached an advanced stage

Lending his voice, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday noted that over 50 trained personnel from the Ministries of Power and Health have been selected for the operation and maintenance of the solar systems.

He added that energy audits were currently being conducted in the selected health facilities to determine how best to deploy the Technology.