By Zacchaeus Ozovehe.
Upake community, the ancestral home of Ebira people in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State is soon to receive a new lease of life on the 19th August, 2019 with the commissioning of 85KWP Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid by Nigerian Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
The Senate President who has since delegated Kogi Central Senator who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cybercrime, Dr Yakubu Oseni to represent him, commended the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for its untiring efforts to improve lives at the grassroots.
While commending the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Dr Sanusi Ohiare under whose watch the project was executed, Dr Yakubu Oseni commended the people of Upake for their resilience and support for President Muhammadu Buhari in the last general election.
The lawmaker said “for decades, the people of Upake community have been without light, potable water and of course, motorable road. During electioneering campaigns when I traversed the length and breadth of Kogi Central, I promised that the village will not remain the same when I get to the Red Chamber. I am happy today that the the Executive Director of REF, Dr Sanusi Ohiare shared in my dream which resulted to this project that will be commissioned on 19th August, 2019.”
Dr Oseni who commended the people of Upake for being resolute in their political decision said they have showed in the last senatorial election that their loyalty cannot be traded for pecuniary gains.
“Once they adopt you as candidate, you can go and sleep till the day of election”, he said.
While assuring other communities across Kogi Central of his readiness to partner relevant Federal Government agencies to deliver dividends of democracy, he reiterated that Upake community will have a sign of relief on the issues of potable water and motorable roads before he completes his first tenure at the National Assembly.
It would be recalled that in 2018, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) provided grant funding from the Rural Electrification Fund to New Moon Nigeria Limited for the project (85KWP Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid ) in addition to metering of the community.
The project which has been completed 100%, is to provide 24 hours uninterrupted power to 458 household, 2976 people and 38 business outfits in the area. The mini-grid project is said to have generated several job opportunities and boost the economy of the area since conception to the execution.
