By Obiabin Onukwugha
As global campaigns intensify for countries to shift from fossil fuels to clean energy, a non-governmental organisation, YEAC Community Energy and Development (YEAC-CEAD), is taking the lead to power hard-to-reach communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with mini-grid solar powered electricity.
The aim is to support government’s and other organisations’ efforts to mitigate pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and associated environmental pollution in the Niger Delta. It is also to drive economic growth in local communities by offering alternative livelihood opportunities powered by renewable energy among young persons, thereby reinforcing positive behaviour for environmental protection and sustainability.
Through this initiative, YEAC-CEAD, with support from its Development Partners in the United Kingdom, NXT Grid Nigeria and Netherlands, on Monday, August 12 2024, unveiled a 90 kwp solar powered mini grid electricity facility in Umuolo community, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State.
Umuolu community, which has existed for over 100 years in darkness was powered with electricity for the first time, amidst jubilation through the laudable initiative of the organisation. And this day, no doubt, will remain memorable for the Umuolu community for generations to come.
Seated along the coastal area of the Orashi and River Niger, Umuolu community, which is a farming and fishing settlement can only be accessed through the river with boat transportation from either Agbor and Asaba, respectively in Delta State, or Ndoni, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, as there is no motorable road linking the community to the rest of the state.
“Some of my mates that are gone, today if they were to hear that there is light in Umuolu they will be surprised”, said Elder Mike Opute, an 83 years old member of the community who spoke with NatureNews during the commissioning of the project.
He continued: “In fact in this community those days there was not even zinc house, only mud houses, but with this development things are changing. We still expect that there will be road and that is our expectation.
“There has been no light in this community, even means of transportation is very difficult, our people will farm to sell their goods become difficult because no road. What brings development to a community is light, road and green network. I believe that with this, soon there will be network and there will be road and with this light development will start to come to our community.”
This statement was corroborated by Mrs. Evelyn Tombia Mammah, a lady in her 60’s who is married to a Siera Leonnian. She told NatureNews she had to travel down to the village to come and witness the historical event. “I came all the way from Kwali. I am a daughter of this community but I am married to a Siere Leonnian. It has not been easy, it was as if we are not part of this country so I thank God for a day like this that this project has come to be established.
“Even if you wake my forefathers from the grave to say this is Umuolu they will tell you no, this is not where they used to know. So we thank God that more projects like this will come to this community,” she stated.
Mrs Mammah was not the only one to undertake this journey. From far and near, community folks who have left for greener pasture in other parts of the state and the country at large, journeyed through the river to witness their community light up for the first time.
During the commissioning ceremony, youths sang songs of jubilation, men raised their staff of authority and women danced as they saw the community powered for the first time.
Presenting his address, the Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-NIGERIA) and YEAC Community Energy and Development ENERGY (YEAC-CEAD), revealed that the vision was borne out of the need to give youths of the Niger Delta region alternative means of livelihood through SMEs while promoting a clean environment.
Fyneface, who has been at the forefront of advocacy for the legalisation and setting up of modular refineries as a way forward for addressing oil theft and illegal refineries in the region, stated that with the successful installation, operation and inauguration of the Umuolu solar mini-grid, YEAC-Nigeria has increased the list of its initiatives aimed at oil theft mitigation mechanisms for Nigeria which include the proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) that recommends the innovation and legalization of artisanal refineries, and as well Network on Organised Crime in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea (NOCINAG), amongsf others.
He said: “Today marks a significant step forward in our collective mission and vision to foster sustainable development and create a brighter future for our communities in the Niger Delta. This solar mini-grid facility represents more than just an infrastructural project; it is a beacon of hope and a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision.
“The primary purpose of this facility is to support the government’s and other organisations’ efforts to mitigate pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and associated environmental pollution in the Niger Delta by offering alternative livelihood opportunities powered by renewable energy and thereby reinforcing positive behaviour for environmental protection and sustainability.
“The idea of contributing to Nigeria’s oil theft mitigation mechanism through community energy for households and its productive use also posited that with households powered, people would no longer use illegally refined petroleum products, particularly DPK and PMS, to energise their homes. This would shrink the market for illegal refiners and reduce incidents of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution, as their supply chain and demand would drastically drop in communities with clean, renewable, and sustainable solar electricity.”
The YEAC-NIGERIA/YEAC-NIGERIA Executive Director, recalled that the birthing of the mini grid solar power initiative was born after being taken hostage by a group of youths who had been displaced of their illegal refining business by the federal government joint operations against oil theft.
He outlined funding and flooding as part of challenges that earlier inhibited the successful execution of the Umuolu project and thanked the YEAC-CEAD partners and the community for their commitment in making the project a reality.
He said; “On Monday, November 25, 2019, in a community in Ogoniland, Rivers State. I was taken hostage by some youths, later identified as artisanal refiners displaced from their activities by Operation Crocodile Smile IV stationed on the nearby river. I stopped, parked my car, and was taking photographs of an inferno burning near a pipeline right of way when some youths came out of the bush, grabbed me, and whistled me away.
“The community youth president later freed me and apologised, requesting that I do everything in my power to secure jobs for the youths in his community, as the youths have been jobless and roaming around since their dislodgement from artisanal refineries, which has led to their presence in the bush where I was held captive.
“In response, I developed the idea that if I could power the community with solar electricity and mobilize funds for the youths to use the electricity productively to power SMSEs, it would not only raise community priorities but also contribute to youth empowerment, mitigate crude oil theft, reduce environmental pollution, soot, and climate change, keep the youths busy away from kidnapping, pirate activities, and militancy, and make the Niger Delta safer for not just its people but also for foreigners, tourists, journalists, investors.
“Soon after, Ken Saro-Wiwa’s daughter, Noo, introduced me to Helena Farstad, a Norwegian living in the UK. In the process of working on areas of collaboration, I introduced this idea, and we started working on it together. In 2022, we established the YEAC-UK as a fundraising platform for the activities of the YEAC-Nigeria, among others. Since then, we have been working together, and the UK team, among others in Nigeria, is raising the funds needed to achieve this.”
He informed that another nine communities across the Niger Delta has been earmarked for the replication of the project.
On the facility description, Fyneface informed that each of the equipment has five years warranty. “So we are likely going to run for the next twenty years in this community that we have exclusivity agreement without any issue and the community will have at least 22 hours power supply every day. And I believe that the community is safe, the investment is safe and secured and is going to achieve the purpose which it was set up.
“Some of the challenges we faced were the issues of flooding. In 2022 when we started this project, we had massive flooding in this community. If we had set up the project before it happened perhaps it would have been submerged but we came and saw how the flooding was in the community, we were able to raise the foundation of the facility to be very high.
“Technically, the design of this mini-grid allows for a full capacity of 90 kwp, which can connect at least 262 houses, including businesses in Umuolu, with potential for expansion based on observed increased energy consumption levels. However, as of today, we have installed 29.12 kwp with 153 households and businesses, including the Umuolu general hospital and secondary school, to ensure effective health service delivery and improved quality of education in the community while we are positioned to improve the grid capacity after observing increased energy consumption levels by the community. After this commissioning, tomorrow morning, our contractor, NXT GRID engineers will arrive in Umuolu to commence the grid expansion exercise.
“Generally across the Niger Delta, including Umuolu, and in line with our government-approved mandate “to campaign against oil theft, artisanal refineries, and pollution,” we have earmarked ten (10) solar mini-grids for installation in different communities without electricity (CWE) in the next couple of years to effectively strengthen our contributions to the fight against pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution through alternative livelihood opportunities powered by clean and renewable energy for artisanal refiners and youths.
“We cannot win the war against crude oil theft with bombings, which further degrade our environment and scatter the oil thieves who regroup in the creeks to continue their illicit activities when the youths are hungry. Alternative livelihood opportunities and youth empowerment are among the solutions in the Niger Delta.
“Going forward, we recognise the vital role that our partners, funders, donors, and supporters have played in making this vision a reality. Your contributions have laid the foundation for a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for Umuolu and, by extension, the Niger Delta.
“However, our journey does not end here. The challenges we face require ongoing commitment and further support. Thus, we call upon all our stakeholders, both present and future, locally and internationally, to support and continue investing in this transformative initiative to enable us to extend it to other communities in the Niger Delta.
“With additional funding, YEAC-CEAD can also expand its efforts to assist Umuolu youths in establishing and growing small and medium-scale enterprises powered by this mini-grid. This will not only provide them with sustainable livelihoods but also help dissuade them from engaging in illegal artisanal refineries, which have devastating impacts on our environment, health, and the livelihoods of our fishermen and farmers,” he stated.
He, therefore thanked YEAC-UK’s Director, Helena Farstad and the advisory board as well as YEAC-Nigeria and YEAC-CEAD, for being part of the momentous occasion. “Let us continue to work hand in hand, lighting the way to a sustainable and prosperous future for Umuolu and other communities across the Niger Delta,” he added.
Earlier in his speech, the President-General of Umuoru Development Union, Engr. Isicheri Stanley Tabowei, thanked Fyneface, the YEAC-CEAD and its UK development partners for the laudable initiative.
He stated: “The commissioning of the solar-powered mini-grid marks a new era of energy independence and environmental stewardship. By harnessing the abundant power of the sun, we are not only ensuring a consistent and sustainable energy supply but also reducing carbon footprint. This project aligns perfectly with our national goals of promoting green energy and combating climate change.
“I must purse here and use this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dear friend Mr. Fyneface Dumnamene; Executive Director- Youth and Environment Advocacy Centre (YEAC, NIGERIA) and his counterparts in United Kingdom, NXT Grid Nigeria and Netherlands and all those who have made this project possible. To our engineers and technicians who worked tirelessly to design and build this state-of the-art facility, your dedication and expertise are truly commendable.
“This electrification project will provide numerous benefits to our community. It will power homes, businesses, schools, churches, the hospital, fostering economic growth and improving the standard of living for our people. This project is not just about electricity; it is about creating opportunities, transforming lives and taking our children away from societal ills.”