To strengthen Nigeria’s public healthcare system, the European Union (EU) Delegation said it will procure solar powered equipment in five Nigerian states.
The states are ,:Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Ogun, and Plateau.
The initiative to provide technical support for the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) and the NISHP programme spans four years (2024 – 2027)
The Head of Co-operation, EU Delegation, Massimo De Luca,disclosed this yesterday during the 2nd Steering Committee meeting of the Technical Assistance for the NISHP held in Abuja.
He further explained that the EU is committed to providing quality projects for efficient energy supply.
Also, Mr Sunday Owolabi, Director of Renewable Energy and Rural Access at the Ministry, who was represented by Ibrahim Shehu, noted that the development was significant given the fact that some health centres would be empowered , particularly Primary Healthcare Centres.
Owolabi acknowledged that sustainability is a major concern as he called for strong commitments towards achieving the set goals.
He added that, “Solar projects are capital-intensive, so it’s important to identify viable sites with active business environments, rather than focusing solely on Primary Healthcare Centers, to ensure long-term success.”
Similarly,,the Manager , NTU International, Tinyan Ogiehor stressed the issue of sustainability and operations.
Ogiehor added, “We are channelling strategic discussions around how we can totally address the issue of sustainability and what private sector models are needed to deliver in each state and how they will ultimately operate within the states.”
“Generally, we are here to rub minds with the EU, the Ministry of Power, and the Rural Electrification Agency at the national level to map out sustainability plans and how the project will be sustainable.,he added.”
