European Union (EU) has commended Enugu State for being the first state to key into the Nigeria Solar-for-Health Project, (NISHP) initiative of the EU seeking partnership with the State on socio- economic development which included .digitization ,innovation, security, health, agriculture, electricity, human capital development among others
Head of Green and Digital Economy section of the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Miss Inga SteffaNowicz, gave the commendation Tuesday, when she led a delegation of EU and their technical partners on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu state ,Dr. Peter Mbah in Government House, Enugu.
Pix: Gov Mbah and Miss Inga
She informed the Governor that they were in the state to look at opportunities in Enugu economic development which covers digitization,innovation , social development, economic development, electricity, human capital development and every thing that brings about development .
Inga who also informed the Governor that they were in Enugu for the formal launch of the Enugu State Solar Health project , congratulated Governor Mbah on his efforts in seeing that Enugu State was the first state to execute solar power in the health services.
She said the EU project Nigeria is a reference when it comes to a solar r power issue in Nigeria. Inga announced that the EU was interested in harnessing all the renewable energy potentials in the state, and would be visiting some of the sites with such potentials.
Her words ,” Congratulations for having been the first state and governor, who has committed time, resources, and money to this Nigeria-Solar-for- Health Project.
“It is a project that primarily addresses the issue of public sector service, being health service; that is also integrating this new approach of working through and with the private sector. “
“This programme is a reference for anything and everything when it comes to power sector development in Nigeria, looking at the entire ecosystem and the stakeholders. ““We are here to have a comprehensive look at the opportunities in Enugu State and the potentials for our further cooperation.”
Pix: Gov Mbah
In his brief remarks on “European Union in Nigeria” , Project manager, EU, Nigeria, Godfrey Ogbemolu, said they were joining the EU delegation to see how they will support electricity in Enugu state. He disclosed that they had met with the Enugu State Electrification Agency and want to work with the state government on regulations , renewal energy , small agro power development to utilize agro power , to enhance agriculture.
Ogbemolu added they had identified some sites and would establish six farms , adding that Enugu State will benefit from the initiative.
Duke Benjamin of GIZ, spoke on the Nigeria Energy Support Program( NESP) and the Stakeholders Engagement manager, Tiayan Ogiehoer spoke briefly on Nigeria solar for health project, explaining how people can expand access to clear and efficient energy.
. He said Enugu State was one of the five states they were working with in Nigeria..
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of CONES, said they want to put Enugu State in the fore front of having 24 hours electricity.
Responding, Governor Mbah appreciated the EU for partnering with Enugu State. He said the EU objectives also aligned with that of his administration.
He disclosed that on assumption of office, he signed a document called “citizens ‘charter “with the people of Enugu state, in which he promised to be accountable and transparent and made the people the center piece of his government.
He informed the delegation that he rendered account of his stewardship every quarter. so that people know how much they got and how their money was spent.
The Governor said the state government had invested hugely on education, health ,water , security and human capital development adding that 1/3 (33%) of the state’s annual budget was dedicated to education to ensure quality education to every child in the state.
” Some of the things you said about some of your strategic objectives also aligned with our broad strategic objectives, which speak to peace, security, inclusive economic development, and, of course, prosperity and sustainability.
“What we are doing with the EU and indeed the other development partners are largely at the core of our governance philosophy – partnership and collaboration – and being also very transparent and accountable.
“Since we assumed office, the issue of human capital development has been our preoccupation because we recognise the importance of providing the basic social services and the basic amenities for our people. So, a lot of these sectors: education, healthcare, and basic amenities like electricity, water, etc. are not things we joke with.
Pix: Gov Mbah presenting a gift to Mis Inga
” it’s not a popular thing . Our budget last year was over N414 billion and we have achieved 95% of that and N158 billion went to education. So, in terms of ratio it had not happened anywhere. For every N100 we spent N33 goes to education and we are not just spending, we make sure we optimize value’, Governor Mbah said.
Pix: Conex CEO
The Governor highlighted some of the projects being executed by his administration which included construction of 260 Smart Green schools in 260 political wards of the state, construction of 260 type 11 Primary Health Care Centers in 260 wards among others. He noted that for one to achieve desired results in the sectors there must be access to power.
Pix: Gov Mbah
Mbah expressed delight that there were windows of opportunities to explore in the renewable facilities.. He disclosed that Owo Smart Green school has 65KVA solar power system which is serving optimally 7 buildings , Artificial Intelligence (AI)and Robotic laboratories, e- library and others.
Pix: Gov. Mbah(m) with the EU delegations and his aides
Assuring partnership with the European Union, Governor Mbah told the delegation that the state government had invested hugely on security, installed CCTV cameras everywhere in the state ,
Author: Maureen Ikpeama