Ogun Government on Thursday inaugurated a “Solar-for-Health” project funded by the European Union (EU) in Abeokuta.
Speaking at the inauguration, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, noted that the initiative merges renewable energy with healthcare delivery for enhanced impact.
According to the governor, the state is known for advancement, socially equitable, environmentally responsible, and people-oriented.
He said that the present administration has continued to pursue projects that touched lives, strengthen communities, and secure collective prosperity.
He added that the significance of the solar-for-health project in the state could not have come at a better time.
“Across the world, nations are realising that the twin challenges of energy and healthcare are deeply interconnected. Reliable healthcare delivery depends heavily on reliable energy access.
“In many rural and semi-urban areas, power disruptions compromise the quality of medical services.
Vaccines lose potency without refrigeration. Emergency surgeries are delayed. Basic diagnostic tools can not function effectively.
“These are not merely technical inconveniences; they are matters of life and death,” he said.
Abiodun explained that the project bridges the gap by supplying clean, renewable solar power to selected health facilities state-wide, ensuring uninterrupted services, especially in rural areas where it is most needed.
“With this intervention, our health centres will not only have light, they will have life.
“Through this initiative, health facilities will operate seamlessly, 24 hours a day, without reliance on generators,” he said.
He commended the partnership between the European Union and the Nigerian government, which made the project possible.
The governor subsequently inaugurated the state steering committee, comprising representatives from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, to drive planning, monitoring, and accountability efforts.
“We will ensure that the implementation is well coordinated. Over 40 primary healthcare centers will gain uninterrupted access to clean energy,” he said.
Earlier, Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager, Energy and Circular Economy at the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the launch reinforced EU’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare and energy sectors.
Ogbemudia explained that the launch marked a significant milestone in the state’s journey toward sustainable and equitable healthcare service delivery.
“We celebrate a transformative initiative under the European union’s Global Gateway initiative—one designed to bring 24/7 power to rural health centers.
“This visionary initiative, spanning 2024 to 2028, will provide solar micro-grid solutions to public health facilities, improving service delivery, particularly in underserved productive economic activities in communities.
“Here in Ogun, we will be electrifying 20 sites, one in each of the 20 council areas in the state,” he said.
Speaking on the project overview, Tinyan Ogiehor, Stakeholders Engagement Manager, Nigeria Solar for Health Project, said the main objective of the project was to expand access to clean, efficient and reliable energy.
“Support government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy access,” he said.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
