The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated a 240 Kilowatt Solar Car Park donated by the Azura Power West Africa Limited to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Mr Sunday Owolabi, the Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access in the ministry, handed over the project to the university.
The project worth N900m was facilitated by an alumnus of the faculty and Managing Director of Azura Power, Mr Edu Okeke.
Adelabu said that energy played a crucial role in driving development, especially in sectors like education, healthcare, industry among others.
“The importance of ensuring that our institutions have access to reliable affordable and sustainable energy cannot be overstated.
“It is in this context that this project holds such significant value to our yearning and aspiration towards sustainable energy development for the country.
“By providing UNN with this state-of-the-art solar-powered car park, we are not only enhancing the university’s energy capacity but also contributing to the environmental sustainability agenda of our nation,” he said.
The minister commended the donor for providing solar electricity, saying that it will ensure uninterrupted clean power supply to the faculty of engineering.
“This uninterrupted power supply will boost learning, teaching and research in this faculty.
“We commend Azura Power for their unwavering commitment to the growth and development of renewable energy in Nigeria.
“This project is a testament to the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and its belief in the transformative power of renewable energy to address Nigeria’s energy deficits,” he said.
The minister also commended Crimeng Services Limited, the Contractor that handled the project, for delivering a quality according to specifications.
Speaking, Mr Ekundayo Ibeun, Managing Director of Crimeng Services Limited, said that the indigenous company had good track records in fields of energy provision, telecommunication engineering and building automation.
He said that the 240kw solar car park was done with indigenous content and innovation, together with application of technologies around the world.
“Some of our company workers will be in UNN to maintain the facility as well as help train some staff of UNN who will take over the maintenance after two years warranty of the project, while the duration of the project is 25 years.
Okeke, the Managing Director of Azura Power, said that the project was part of its company’s initiative that aligned with Nigeria’s energy transition goals of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on power sector reforms.
Okeke, an alumnus of UNN, urged other alumni and corporate organisations to look back and contribute to our institutions by providing resource to allow staff of the university to focus on education and empowerment.
Speaking, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN, represented by Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, said that the solar car park was a big relief to the university as electricity supply had become a major challenge in the school.
“UNN commend Azura Power for this wonderful intervention. If other faculties in the university will get similar interventions, the problem of electricity supply in UNN will be over,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Ikechukwu Ezema, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN said that the Azura project would not only provide the faculty with 240kw solar power in offices and classroom but will also serve as a training facility for the students on solar installation, data collection and analysis. (NAN).
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