Date: 2017-08-14

The Kwara State government is to deploy solar energy systems to villages, small scale businesses and key government establishments to boost electricity supply and enhance economy activities in the state.

The state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this when he received the national president, Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, Otunba Dele Akintola at the Government House, Ilorin.

Ahmed said the move will provide alternative source of energy supply to critical sectors instead of waiting endlessly for energy supply through the current hydro-thermal energy source.

He disclosed that "those to benefit from the proposed solar energy systems include water corporation, hospitals, villages, small businesses and isolated critical government areas.

"Energy is the most important ingredient and determinant of economic growth and development of any country in the world", the governor said, explained that Nigeria is lagging behind in its energy supply needed for industrialization."

Ahmed noted that already the first phase of Light up Kwara is ongoing with the streets light across major roads within Ilorin metropolis and promised to extend the solar powered streets light to other towns in the second phase.

Earlier, national president, Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, Otunba Dele Akintola had said he was at the Government House to acquit the Governor about the readiness of some investors to build solar power stations in the state.

He appealed to Governor Ahmed to consider the proposal and provide 250 hectares of land for the project, saying that the project would create employment opportunities for the teeming youths and boost the state economy.

Akintola added that the United Nations is supportive of states or countries investing in the reduction of environmental pollution and appealed to the governor to buy into the proposal.