Abia Govt, EU Launch Solar Power Project For Health Centres

The Abia State Government, in a bid to improve healthcare delivery and promote good service delivery, has officially launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP).

The project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by NTU International A/S, was unveiled during a high-level event held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, on Tuesday.

Representing Governor Alex Otti at the event, Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu noted that the project aims to provide reliable solar energy to health centres across Abia, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities, to ensure 24-hour service delivery, reduce energy costs, and enhance medical outcomes.

He expressed deep gratitude to the EU for choosing Abia as one of the five beneficiary states.

“Our goal is to build a healthcare ecosystem that is service-ready at any time of the day or night. This is why the Nigerian Solar for Health project could not just have come at a better time,” Emetu said.

He called on the EU and other development partners to explore additional collaboration opportunities in water, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

The Head of Section, Green Economy EU-Nigeria, Mrs Inga Stafanowicz, who spoke virtually, reaffirmed their commitment to development partnerships with Nigeria, describing the initiative as part of their global strategy for equitable access to healthcare and sustainable energy.

“This particular project is designed to bring 24/7 power to rural health centres and productive economic activities, which is very important in improving healthcare services and serving also a greater good of the state, including climate resilience,” she stated.

She acknowledged Abia’s proactive stance on energy sector reforms, saying, “Your state continues to demonstrate its dedication to advancing socio-economic development.”

The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, in his speech, applauded those who worked behind the scenes, including EU alumni and key advisors, for their roles in bringing the project to fruition.

“This solution is clean, it’s sustainable, and it will empower communities. Our goal is bold. Every health facility must be electrified. Every life must be supported. Let’s keep the light shining,” Monday said.

He further announced the inauguration of a steering committee to guide the implementation of the project, pledging full collaboration between his ministry and the Ministry of Health.

Also speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, described the initiative as a landmark moment for Abia and a turning point for its health infrastructure.

“The Nigeria Solar for Health project is a great initiative of the EU aimed at partnering with sub-nationals to provide energy solutions in the form of cost-effective and sustainable access to power to ensure uninterrupted healthcare service delivery,” he said.

He acknowledged that many healthcare facilities in the state suffer from chronic power shortages, leading to negative health outcomes.

“High energy costs and power shortages render precarious the art of healthcare service delivery and lead to poor outcomes,” Uche added.

He went ahead to praise Governor Otti for ensuring that the state’s counterpart funding was fully paid, enabling Abia to be selected among five states, out of 36 nationwide, for the initiative.

“In the Holy Bible, the Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. Out of the 36 called, five were chosen. And Abia State is among the few chosen,” he remarked.

Uche urged the EU to consider expanding the project to cover all hospitals in the state, including over 200 recently renovated primary healthcare centres and 23 secondary health facilities.

He also highlighted the training and upskilling components of the project, which equip local technicians to maintain the solar systems and support sustainable job creation.

“Abia State is Nigeria’s best-kept secret, now unveiled for the world to see,” he said, calling the initiative a “durable solution” to the long-standing challenge of power shortages in the health sector.

Abia Govt, EU Launch Solar Power Project For Health Centres is first published on The Whistler Newspaper