Niger Govt signs MOU with a firm for Construction of 50Megawatts of Solar Plant

Niger Govt signs MOU with a firm for Construction of 50Megawatts of Solar Plant

Olabode Adaramola

Niger State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vyonarc Development Limited for the construction of 50 Megawatts Solar Plant at Ragba along Mokwa-Jebba road in Mokwa Local Government of the State.

Speaking to journalists in his office, the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan T. Vatsa stated that it was in view of the agrarian nature of the state that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello-led government has focussed on people-oriented projects.

He said among such projects are those that would impact positively on the lives of the citizen and accelerate development of Agriculture and Power sectors, stressing that Niger state is being referred to as the ‘’Power State’’ because it houses the nation’s three hydro-electricity power stations at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro.

The Hon . Commissioner expressed optimism that the project, when completed would not only create job opportunities for the teeming youths, boost the State Internally Generated Revenue but it would also complement the effort of the Federal Government at stabilizing the epileptic power supply challenges.

He assured Vyonarc Development Limited, the Company handling the project and Ragba community of the State Government’s unflinching support and cooperation as it would settle all the compensation to the owners of one hundred hectares of land acquired for the project and provide Special Purpose Vehicles to forestall transportation challenges.

Also in his earlier remarks the Company’s representative , Engr Segun Ajayi disclosed that the $100 Million Independent Solar Power project, which would take-off in February, next year is expected to be completed within 24 months .

He promised that, out of the power that would be generated, some percentage of it would be stepped down for use by Niger State while the remaining would be evacuated to the National Grid to boost the nation’s effort at increasing its power generation.

He further revealed that the Company has procured all the solar panels required for the 50 Megawatts Independent Solar Plant at Ragba Community, adding that Niger State would retain three per cent of the total power generated, Mokwa Local Government will attract two per cent while the host community would be given five per cent totalling ten per cent.

Engr Segun Ajayi stated that as part of their social responsibility which according to him, is in line with the global best practices, the Company would provide the host communities with basic infrastructures, such as health and educational facilities in addition to the gainful employment that would be given to the residents of such communities.

He added that the project would be wholly funded by Vyonarc Development Limited as it would to provide funds, expertise and other technical know-how required for the realization of the project while Niger State Government would provide enabling environment for the smooth take-off the project and facilitate all necessary processes needed for its speedy actualization.

The MOU was signed on behalf of Niger State Government by Hon. Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Abdulmalik Usman Cheche while the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Sa’ad Siddiqui signed for the company