The Federal Government has commissioned 8.25 megawatts (MW) hybrid power plant, streetlights and a training centre at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM).
The Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, during the commissioning of the project at the university, said it is part of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) that is energising 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals.
Ahmad said among the nine federal universities, two plants were commissioned at Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi and Bayero University Kano in 2019 with 20 female students trained in each university.
Besides FUAM, he said two others are ready for commissioning. “As part of the trail phase, the university has received power from the plant for a total of 137 days, and is therefore fully set for operation to deliver reliable power to the staff and students of this noble institution.”
He said the training centre is for training students and the staff on the theory and practice of renewable energy.
“This 8.25MW solar hybrid power project and its ultra-modern training facility is now yours, and I urge you to ensure it is sustained and used optimally,” Ahmad said.
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, said: “The days of unreliable power supply within the university has come to an end and the students can heave a sigh of relief knowing that their campus environment is illuminated and that they can increase their study time as they prepare for the real world.”
Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam, said: “I will continue to use my office to ensure that we provide the leadership and oversight needed to enhance and advance increased investments, regulatory compliance, proper governance, and other issues that affect the power sector in Nigeria.”
Commenting, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Richard Kimbir, said it was a joyous moment for the university established in 1988 and for the state. “I am ecstatic for the expected positive impact this initiative will have in transforming the way we teach, learn, and live on our campus.”
