OGUN, GERMAN ORGANISATION SIGN MOU ON RURAL ELECTRIFICATION The Ogun State Government and the German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) today in Abeokuta, the State capital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the provision of renewable solar power energy and hydro power in the rural area of the State between now and 2017. The State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun signed on behalf of the State, while the German Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Derus signed on behalf of GIZ. Signing the MoU, Governor Amosun said it is yet another demonstration of his administration’s resolve to bring sustainable development to the rural areas of the State, saying assess to electricity in the rural areas would go a long way in reducing rural-urban drift within the State. Governor Amosun recalled that the State government in collaboration with GIZ had earlier implemented a project on pro-poor growth with emphasis on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises and other value chains. He commended GIZ for considering Ogun State for the project, pointing out that the German organisation which had been gathering data and information about the State’s potential’s would assist in drawing policy and institutional frameworks, capacity building and capital development programmes. “GIZ is a reliable partner, they should continue to partner with us in other areas of the five-cardinal programmes of our administration, our Government would not take their support for granted, we will continue to provide the necessary political will to support the successful implementation of our joint projects”, Amosun remarked. Welcoming representatives of GIZ earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello said the desire to give a new lease of to rural dwellers like their urban counterparts informed the decision of the State government to partner with them, saying the government’s commitment to ensuring even development of the State is unwavering. Abiola-Costello submitted that when installed, the device would enhance socio-economic growth in the rural areas and help kick activities which hitherto were not feasible. “When installed, the renewable solar power and hydro power device would supply electricity at an affordable rate to drive economic activities which hitherto had been impossible and generally enhance the welfare and lifestyle of dwellers of such rural community”, she said. In his presentation, GIZ’s Program Director, Daniel Werner, indicated that five State’s in the country were captured in a survey undertaken earlier and that Ogun State was selected because it has over time demonstrated unparallel willingness to enhance the standard of living of its people. He disclosed that the project has four components which focus on policy reform on-grid renewal energy, energy efficiency, rural electrification and capacity development, saying its pilot would be implemented in two rural areas to be selected by the State government.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:16:11 +0000
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