An era of epileptic power supply in tertiary institutions across Delta State is set to be over as the state government has embarked on renewable energy project that would ensure 24 hours electricity supply to the various institutions.
Already, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogeashi-Uku, has been mapped out for the commencement of the pilot scheme expected to be completed and commissioned in six months time, ensuring the students enjoy 24-hour electricity through solar energy.
Patrick Muoboghare, commissioner for higher education, who spoke with newsmen in Asaba, said the solar energy would be provided within six months.
Muoboghare, a professor, spoke on the steps the state government was taking to address the issue, saying from all indications a pilot scheme would be installed in Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, while Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, would follow suit after two months.
He disclosed that the project would be financed through Public Private Sector Partnership and explained that the solar projects would be built and commissioned by private investors while government would offset the financial commitments monthly after three years.
“Deficit power supply in tertiary institutions across the state has been a major challenge in education management. It is more so because their Internally Generate Revenue (IGR) has been poor and always almost spent on power supply,” he observed.
The commissioner said the effort was the government’s way of keying into sustainable and renewable energy in tandem with global best practices.
“We are concentrating our focus on solar energy. We have so much of it in Nigeria unharnessed. I dare say that we are not very good with converting theory into practice. This move is the state government’s way of converting theory. The beauty is that they construct commission before we start paying for it over a period of three years. What we pay for will be less than what we pay for diesel in a month,” he said.
