Nasarawa village, where residents enjoy 24-hour electricity

Sabon Gida Bakin Kogi is a village in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, located about 62 kilometres from Lafia, the state capital. The community is situated at the boundary between Plateau and Nasarawa states to the east, where a river that crosses the village separates the two neighbouring states.

The village is inhabited predominantly by farmers and fishermen. It is among the few rural areas in Nasarawa State enjoying 24-hour power supply for various economic and domestic activities.

A first-time visitor to the community would assume that electricity supply is from the national grid because of vibrant economic activities going on there. But a visit to the community by Weekend Trust showed that the electricity being used by residents is not from the national grid, it is from an independent source.

Most economic activities that require electricity, such as welding, grinding machines, barbing salons, Point of Sale (POS) services and cold rooms, are powered by solar energy, courtesy of an Indian company.

It was also gathered that mobile phone service providers in the area generate their power from the same source to serve the community.

The company operates solar-powered mini-grids in the area and commercialises the energy projects to rural dwellers.

Weekend Trust observed that the company built solar-hybrid mini-grids with battery storage in the community as the central supply point, which serves as the major source of electricity distribution to households and businesses in the benefitting community. The company supplies electricity, which the community members pay for monthly.

The presence of steady electricity has transformed the socioeconomic life of the community, with artisans working late into the night and cold room operators preserving their goods without fear of spoilage, a situation that was impossible when they depended solely on generators.

‘How we got here’

Narrating how they got electricity after years of being in darkness, the village head of Sabon Gida Bakin Kogi, Alhaji Dauda Yakubu, said the immediate past Emir of Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai intervened. He said the company first approached the then traditional ruler with a proposal, after which he directed them to start operation.

According to him, following the intervention, the community was connected to electricity. He noted that the company had been in the village for over five years, adding that he provided the land where the company established its mini-grid for free.

He further noted that during the agreement, the company paid him only N25,000 and nothing more.

Yakubu said the current solar power supply by the Indian company had brought great relief to the community. “Alhamdulillah, this electricity has really helped us, not just a little, because of our commercial activities and other things,” he said.

The traditional ruler appealed for extension of the solar power supply to other neighbouring villages within the community, such as Asumaku and Dangwaronen, which he said were in urgent need of electricity.

He clarified that while there was initial support from government and the company, additional contributions became necessary when problems arose. The village head, therefore, appealed to the government and relevant authorities to further assist the community in securing stable power supply from the national grid for all parts of the village.

‘It is a relief’

A welder in the community, Idris Dauda, noted that the solar power supply had brought relief for many in the community. He said the intervention in the area had brought relief to his business. He noted that he paid N40,000 monthly for the electricity supply irrespective of the amount of power he consumed.

“Alhamdulillah, we thank God, it meets my needs,” he said, adding that power is available almost all the time. The welder said he had been using the solar power for almost three years, noting that before the coming of the solar mini-grid, he relied majorly on generator to run his business.

He said he was spending heavily on fuel, buying at least one to two gallons of petrol daily, depending on the volume of work.

Comparing the cost, Dauda said there was a huge difference between the past and now. He said, “Since the coming of solar, we have had relief.

He admitted that there were occasional outages, but noted that the availability of power far outweighed the periods of outage. He said the 24-hour supply had enabled him to work without interruption and reduced his cost of operation.

Aziz Yusuf, another resident, said solar electricity had reduced his operational cost and improved his business.

Yusuf’s business, which involves barbing and POS services, depends largely on steady electricity supply. According to him, the solar electricity supply in the community has reduced their losses. He explained that unlike using a generator, solar power is kept beside his shop and supplies electricity without interruption.

He said users paid monthly, or according to usage. “I pay N6,000 monthly, but sometimes it increases to N10,000, depending on usage,” he said.

Recalling his experience with generators, Yusuf said petrol prices were lower in the past, so using generators was not difficult. He, however, noted that with the current cost of fuel, the solar system made business easier.

“Generally, the solar system has helped us reduce operational cost and ensured steady power supply for our daily activities,” he said.

A local drink vendor, however, decried the billing pattern. Amina Mohammed, said although the solar electricity powered her business, she called for a review of the billing system.

Amina, who sells kunun zaki and other beverages, which she cools before selling, noted that she paid N13,000 monthly to power her fridge and other appliances. “There is power, but sometimes if they start our billing and they deduct it, you will see that there is no power for a while,” she said.

She explained that sometimes the company deducted payment around the 20th of the month before the month ended. According to her, when such deduction occurs, she has to recharge N1,000 daily until the month ends before she can pay the N13,000 again.

“Sometimes they deduct the payment, and if a month hasn’t ended, they still deduct it. If they deduct it, you will see that we go and recharge N1,000 every day until the month finishes. So you see that there is no power after paying the N13,000,” she lamented.

She appealed to the company to allow users complete the month before deducting the next payment.

“We want them, for God’s sake, to release our power and let us finish the month before they deduct the N13,000,” Amina appealed.

A soft drinks seller, Adama Muhammadu Jumare, said the solar electricity in the area made her business easier.

Jumare, who sells soft drinks and other beverages, said she used solar to power her fridge and provide electricity for her household.

She said users paid monthly for the solar power, adding that the cost is manageable. According to her, the monthly payment is about N10,000, though it could increase, depending on the power consumed.

Comparing life before and after the installation of the solar mini-grid, Jumare said there was a clear difference, adding, “Right now, it is easier for me.”

She explained that before the coming of solar, electricity was expensive, but since its arrival, they adjusted and found relief. She said the solar system generally improved her business and domestic life.

Sabon Gida Bakin Kogi is not the only community benefiting from the Husk Power Systems electricity supply. Other villages, such as Kiguna, Akura and Gidan Buba in Lafia Local Government Area, also benefit from the mini-grid. Similarly, Rukubi, Idadu and Igbabo villages in Doma Local Government Area are connected to the solar power supply.

Weekend Trust visited Kiguna, another beneficiary village, where it was observed that the same solar electricity connection was powering households and businesses.

Efforts to get the reaction of the company were unsuccessful as staff on ground said only their headquarters in Abuja was authorised to speak on behalf of the organisation.

Residents of these communities expressed similar sentiments, saying the solar intervention had improved their livelihoods and reduced dependence on petrol generators in the face of rising fuel cost.