FG committed to renewal energy investment, private sector participation.

The Federal government has reiterated its commitment to provide enabling environment and work with the legislative arm to create policies that will favour renewable energy investment and private sector participation through various REA programmes.

The Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Power, Giddy Jedy - Agbo made this remarks at the commissioning of the solar hybrid mini grid at Eka - Awoke, Ebonyi state.

Jedy - Agbo said that the Ministry is guided by the federal government roadmap to establish a robust and sustainable power sector that will favour and cater for socio - economic needs of Nigerians.

The Minister expressed optimism that with the commissioning of that 100KWp solar hybrid mini grid power plant, the community of Eka Awoke would begin to witness economic growth and development through the ripple effects that electricity access comes with.

"The Ministry is guided by the federal government roadmap to establish a robust and sustainable power sector that will favour and cater for socio - economic needs of Nigerians.

"I am delighted that with the commissioning of this 100KWp solar hybrid mini grid power plant, this noble community of Eka Awoke will begin to witness economic growth and development through the ripple effects that electricity access comes with.

In his address, Ebonyi state governor, Chief David Umahi said the rural Electrification Agency's mandate is in line with the state government's agenda to improve electricity access to indegenes of of Ebonyi.

Umahi who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe pledged that the state government will continue to collaborate with the federal government through Rural Electrification Agency and the private sector implementation projects to ensure clean and safe and reliable electricity.

He pointed out that the use of clean energies technologies in the quest to provide electricity is an added advantage to rural communities, that have been accustomed to using generators, candles, kerosene and other unsafe etimey sources over time.

"The use of clean energies technologies in the quest to provide electricity is an added advantage to rural communities, WHO have been accustomed to using generators, candles, kerosene w and other unsafe energy sources over time".

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Cloud Energy, Engr. Theophilus Nweke explained that the productivity of the community will increase and unemployment will reduce and the quality of living will go up appreciably.

Engr Nweke said that they were guided by three principles in choosing Eka Awoke community which include provision of electricity, provision to access to clean water and setting up of an agro commercial enterprise to create wealth out of the abundant agricultural resources.

We expect the productivity to increase in this community and its neighbour , unemployment will reduce and the quality of living will go up appreciably enough to guarantee an alleviation of poverty and access to quality health care.

" In choosing Eka Awoke community for the project, the company identified three focus needs to include provision of electricity, provision of access to clean water for the community and setting up of an agro commercial enterprise to create wealth out of the abundant agricultural resources in the community ".