Residents of Eddah community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have received electricity for the first time in over four decades, thanks to a 300 KVA electrification project provided by the North South Power Company Limited.
The project, executed by the NSPCL Foundation, was inaugurated on Tuesday as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to its host communities.
Olubunmi Peters, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NSPCL, said the gesture was part of the company’s efforts to improve lives. He was represented at the event by Hassan Abdullahi, the company’s CSR consultant.
“Access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is not merely a goal in itself; it is the key that unlocks the door to achieving many other Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP report shows that a 10 per cent increase in energy access can reduce poverty by about six per cent in Africa,” Peters said.
He added that the foundation plans to carry out more projects in the community, including a rice mill, renovated schools, health facilities, and water systems.
Peters urged residents to take ownership of the project and protect the facilities from vandalism.
Chioke Ugochukwu, Chief Operating Officer of NSPCL, said the project was not just about lighting up homes but also about restoring dignity to the people.
“Today, the Eddah community is dignified through the electrification project that brings electricity to the doorstep of the community. The project brings about illumination, speed of life, economic empowerment of individuals, happiness, small-scale industry, and above all improvement in security,” Ugochukwu said.
Traditional leaders in the area expressed joy over the development. Alhaji Garba Bala, District Head of Zumba, represented by Alhaji Garba Abara, thanked NSPCL for the gesture and appealed for similar projects in neighbouring communities.
Also, the Ward Head of Eddah Community, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, said the electricity will boost businesses and make the community safer.
The inauguration was attended by members of NSPCL’s board of trustees, representatives of the Shiroro council chairman, and the chairman of the Shiroro Dam Host Stakeholders Committee.
