LASG Launches Solar Lamp, Water Heater

In it usual tradition for grassroots development and caring , the Lagos State Government has launched the first ever solar lamp and solar water heater in the country.

Commissioner for Rural Development, Prince Lanre Balogun who unveil the two projects to journalists in Lagos yesterday said 200 solar lamps will be distributed free to 200 house holds in rural communities as a pilot scheme while it is expected in the long run, all households in the villages not connected to the national grid would get such lamps.

The lamp is charged with a solar panel and could last for 48hours when charged. The lamp could also charge mobile phones and is durable. It will serve as alternative to the use of lanterns by the rural dwellers, he said.

According to Balogun, the solar lamp is an innovation, and less expensive in terms of monetary consumption compared to kerosene lantern.

He noted that the solar lamp is one of the innovations in the ministry and deploy it to rural areas.

He said, at a start, the lamps will be giving to selected communities, starting with the community head as only 200 household will benefit the first badge.

‘We have been working on this project in the last two and half years, we are doing a test run now and as soon as the lamps get accepted by the people, we will get more.

In the long run, every household in Lagos not connected to electricity should get the lamp,’ he posited.

Explaining further, Balogun said the solar lamp for now are manufactured outside the country and that there was possibility of setting up an assembly plant in Lagos to manufacture the lamp locally.