The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has called for increased clean energy investment to drive development across the State’s blue and green economies.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, the Governor made the call at the office of the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja.
Governor Otu commended the Agency for its robust support in expanding electricity access across the States, providing regulatory backing, technical assistance, and developing bankable renewable energy projects.
He highlighted major projects, including the ten mega watts solar farm at the University of Calabar, developed with support from the German government and private partners which has significantly improved power supply to the university.
The Governor also noted the installation of mini-grids at the General hospital Ogoja, and the Navy Reference Hospital Calabar, as well as the distribution of ten thousand home solar streetlights and transformers.
He said fifteen out of the eighteen Local Government Areas of the State still lack reliable power supply.
Governor Otu, who painted a stark picture of the state’s energy crisis, said Ikom, the state’s commercial nerve centre, has had no public electricity for over six months.
Highlighting the State’s severe energy crisis, the Governor said Ikom, a key commercial hub of the State, has been without public electricity for over six months.
To address this, he stated that his administration is working to restore and stabilize power supply in rural communities, including Ikom.
Recent initiatives include the rehabilitation of electricity in Nde community and the development of renewable energy projects to boost power access.
”The state government is also focusing on clean energy investment to drive development in the blue and green economies. This administration signed an MOU with OANDO Clean Energy for a technical evaluation of wind energy in the State, aiming to increase clean energy access and reduce reliance on harmful energy sources,” he informed.
According to the Governor, Ogoja, another major Local Government Area, has battled frequent blackouts and low voltage for years, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and small holder agro-processing.
While describing energy access as a critical enabler of the State’s blue and green economies, Governor Otu noted that “it is through enhanced clean energy infrastructure that we can unlock the vast potential of our natural resources while preserving our environment for future generations.”
“As Governor, I pledge that the ‘People First’ administration will continue to support policies and projects that promote sustainable energy access and invite increased investments and partnerships to power our state’s economic transformation,” he added.
Earlier, the Secretary to the government of the State, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh underscored the administration’s people first agenda, noting that improving electricity access has remained a top priority.
According to him, the meeting brought together policy experts, and government officials to accelerate electrification in unserved communities.
He added that the discussions were aimed to clarify government support, strengthen partnership and secure commitments for mini-grids development.
“We have the land, the tourism, the agriculture, the culture, the minerals, but without power, these assets cannot reach their full economic meaning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Electrification Agency, Doctor Abba Aliyu, lauded Cross River State for creating an enabling policy environment.
He disclosed that nineteen renewable energy projects are currently underway, aiming to inject 26 megawatts of power and benefit over 78,000 households and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The Director General of Cross River State’s Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Francis Ekpo, emphasized the theme of the event, “Sustainable Impact Beyond Policies,” highlighting the State’s shift from policy-making to actual clean energy dBassey Otu, has called for increased clean energy investment to drive development across the State’s blue and green economies.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, the Governor made the call at the office of the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja.
Governor Otu commended the Agency for its robust support in expanding electricity access across the States, providing regulatory backing, technical assistance, and developing bankable renewable energy projects.
He highlighted major projects, including the ten mega watts solar farm at the University of Calabar, developed with support from the German government and private partners which has significantly improved power supply to the university.
The Governor also noted the installation of mini-grids at the General hospital Ogoja, and the Navy Reference Hospital Calabar, as well as the distribution of ten thousand home solar streetlights and transformers.
He said fifteen out of the eighteen Local Government Areas of the State still lack reliable power supply.
Governor Otu, who painted a stark picture of the state’s energy crisis, said Ikom, the state’s commercial nerve centre, has had no public electricity for over six months.
Highlighting the State’s severe energy crisis, the Governor said Ikom, a key commercial hub of the State, has been without public electricity for over six months.
To address this, he stated that his administration is working to restore and stabilize power supply in rural communities, including Ikom.
Recent initiatives include the rehabilitation of electricity in Nde community and the development of renewable energy projects to boost power access.
”The state government is also focusing on clean energy investment to drive development in the blue and green economies. This administration signed an MOU with OANDO Clean Energy for a technical evaluation of wind energy in the State, aiming to increase clean energy access and reduce reliance on harmful energy sources,” he informed.
According to the Governor, Ogoja, another major Local Government Area, has battled frequent blackouts and low voltage for years, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and small holder agro-processing.
While describing energy access as a critical enabler of the State’s blue and green economies, Governor Otu noted that “it is through enhanced clean energy infrastructure that we can unlock the vast potential of our natural resources while preserving our environment for future generations.”
“As Governor, I pledge that the ‘People First’ administration will continue to support policies and projects that promote sustainable energy access and invite increased investments and partnerships to power our state’s economic transformation,” he added.
Earlier, the Secretary to the government of the State, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh underscored the administration’s people first agenda, noting that improving electricity access has remained a top priority.
According to him, the meeting brought together policy experts, and government officials to accelerate electrification in unserved communities.
He added that the discussions were aimed to clarify government support, strengthen partnership and secure commitments for mini-grids development.
“We have the land, the tourism, the agriculture, the culture, the minerals, but without power, these assets cannot reach their full economic meaning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Electrification Agency, Doctor Abba Aliyu, lauded Cross River State for creating an enabling policy environment.
He disclosed that nineteen renewable energy projects are currently underway, aiming to inject 26 megawatts of power and benefit over 78,000 households and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The Director General of Cross River State’s Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Francis Ekpo, emphasized the theme of the event, “Sustainable Impact Beyond Policies,” highlighting the State’s shift from policy-making to actual clean energy development.
Mr Ekpo said the transition aims to drive sustainable development and improve energy access across the State.
evelopment.
Mr Ekpo said the transition aims to drive sustainable development and improve energy access across the State.
