By Obiabin Onukwugha
A non-governmental Organisation, YEAC Community Energy and Development YEAC-CEAD, has commissioned a 90.12kwh capacity solar mini-grid electricity facility in Umuolu community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The mini-grid project, made possible through the collaborative efforts of YEAC-Nigeria, YEAC Community Energy and Development, YEAC-UK, and NXT Grid Nigeria contracting with support from partners, funders, donors, and supporters, would provide reliable and affordable solar electricity for homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities in the community.
The facility, designed to support the government’s efforts to mitigate pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution through the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities powered by the facility, was inaugurated by the Executive Chairman of Ndokwa East LGA, Hon. Vincent Osilonya, represented by the Supervisory Councilor for Health, Mr. Oliseh Ndudi on Monday, July 12.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria and the initiator of the project, Mr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the project is a significant step forward in the collective mission to foster sustainable development and create a brighter future for communities in the Niger Delta.
Fyneface emphasized that alternative livelihood opportunities and youth empowerment are among the solutions to pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta, and called upon the government and stakeholders to support and continue to invest in this transformative initiative.
“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.
“Technically, the design of this mini-grid allows for a full capacity of 90 kwh, which can connect at least 262 houses, including businesses in Umuolu, with potential for expansion based on observed increased energy consumption levels.
The environmental justice campaigner called for more support for transformative initiative to enable the group 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.
Earlier, President General of Umuolu Development Union, Engr. Isicheri Stanley Tabowei, said the solar mini-grid will have a profound impact on the community, fostering economic growth, improving the standard of living, and reducing carbon emissions.
He lauded the YEAC-CEAD and their partners, for their support and collaboration in making the project a reality.
Tabowei said the community which is over 700 years of existence has never experienced electricity other than from generators, and called for the replication of the project in neighbouring communities with no access to electricity.
“As we commission this solar powered mini-grid, let it be known that Umuolu community committed no funds in the execution of this project. I thank the “Uti family” and community leadership for making the parcel of land where this project is located free of charge to YEAC and NXT Grid.
He said; “Since the creation of this community more than 700 years ago. We have not seen electricity in this form in Umuolu, this is the first of its kind and we are very grateful to God and YEAC and their partners for making this thing happen for us. We have lived over the years without electricity and the best we know is diesel generators and I-pass-my-neigbour generators which comes at a very high cost due to fuel and diesel price.”
A member of the community, Mrs. Evelyn Tombia, expressed joy over the project. She stated: “I thank God for a day like this because it has not been easy for us in this community, it is as if we are not part of this country. I thank God for bringing this project to our community.
