03 February 2014, Lagos – The Ogun State Government and the German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the provision of renewable solar power energy and hydro power in the rural area of the State between now and 2017.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun signed on behalf of the State, while the German Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Derus signed on behalf of GIZ.
The governor described the event as another demonstration of his administration’s resolve to bring sustainable development to the rural areas of the state, saying assess to electricity in the rural areas would go a long way in reducing rural-urban drift within the State.
Amosun recalled that the state government in collaboration with GIZ had earlier implemented a project on pro-poor growth with emphasis on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises and other value chains.
Welcoming representatives of GIZ earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello said the desire to give a new lease of life to rural dwellers like their urban counterparts informed the decision of the state government to partner with them, saying the government’s commitment to ensuring even development of the state is unwavering.
“When installed, the renewable solar power and hydro power device would supply electricity at an affordable rate to drive economic activities which hitherto had been impossible and generally enhance the welfare and lifestyle of dwellers of such rural community”, she said.
In his presentation, GIZ’s Program Director, Daniel Werner, indicated that five state’s in the country were captured in a survey undertaken earlier and that Ogun State was selected because it has over time demonstrated unparallel willingness to enhance the standard of living of its people.
He disclosed that the project has four components which focus on policy reform on-grid renewal energy, energy efficiency, rural electrification and capacity development, saying its pilot would be implemented in two rural areas to be selected by the state government.
