RSG Solar Energy Power Gulps $40m

Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr Tele Ikuru (left) chatting with wife of the state governor, Dame Judith Amaechi, during the 13th regular Council meeting of the National Council of Women Affairs and Social Development, at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, penultimate Wednesday.

The Rivers State Government has approved $40million approximately N6billion for the construction of a solar energy power to provide power for the 750 modern primary schools and health centres built by the  government.

The state Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru made this known last Monday in Port Harcourt when he  received a team of World Bank group and international agencies as well as officials of the ministries of environment, energy and power in his office.

But the World Bank would contribute about $39million as its counterpart funding for the execution of the projects, while the state government would provide 25 per cent of the funding.

Engr Ikuru said that the state government in her desire to develop the state had identified power and education as key sectors, adding that this informed the reason of government to invest much money in the sectors.

According to him, the state  government was also considering increasing its electricity megawatts from the present 360 to 500 by June this year. He said that the feat when achieved, would make the state the highest in the country.

He also used the  occasion to assure the world Bank team of the preparedness by the state  government to partner with them, while urging them to immediately work towards providing power supply to either the primary schools or  the health centres.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Barrister Rufus Godwin said that the project would boost the economy of the state, ensure increase in economic participation, achieve sustainable development as well as improve quality of lives for rural dwellers and other isolated communities.

Earlier, the leader of the World Bank team, Mr Eric Fernstron had briefed the Deputy Governor on the interest of the World Bank to invest in the  energy needs of Africa, pointing out that Rivers State was one of the three states chosen in Nigeria for the projects.

The Tide learnt that the team was in Government House to present the pre-feasibility report commissioned by the state Ministry of Environment.