Famole Surulere community in Share/Oke ward of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State has been in existence since time immemorial but they have not for once enjoyed the benefit of being connected to the national grid for their electricity supply.

For many of the residents, it has been difficult to rationalize the fact that despite being located at the heart of council area, issue of their electricity has remained a mirage after several attempts which had failed to yield any fruitful result.

The decision to turn to generators for alternative power supply for the people has however turned out to be a very expensive venture considering the expenses on fuel and maintenance of the generators.

Although the largely agrarian community has attracted people from across the country including the Fulani from North and the Igbos from the East among others, its power problem has negatively affected the local economy limiting its potentials to be an economic hub in the local government.

Community head speaks



Speaking on the issue, the Bale (Village Head) of Famole Surulere, Sule Aweda, disclosed that the ancient community has been in existence for almost 100 years and there was never a time the community was connected to the National Grid within the period under review.

According to him, the community often plays host to large number of people from different parts of the country, who participate in its weekly assemblage of market men and women.

In the same vein, Mazi Onwuesi Gabriel from Anambra State, who had spent over two years in the community, told Daily Trust that it has been like hell running his provision store on generators, adding he spends about N50,000 per month.

For a Fulani tailor, Ahmed Isa, the electricity has been a major hindrance to the economic life of the community which already boost of good road and even an MDG provided primary school.

However, the cry of the community may soon be a thing of the past following the intervention of Shaybis Nigeria Limited, a leading solar company in Nigeria.



Why Famole?

The Managing Director of the company, Engr Tunde Yusuf Saliu, told Daily Trust that the choice of Famole Surulere was arrived following the agreement reached with the residents and after careful consideration of the economic potentials of the community which is seriously being hampered by their lack of the electricity.

“This project was started about two weeks ago and by the end of this month [April], we should be through because we want to start distribution of electricity to them this week.

“The cost of the project is N30m with a life span of about 30 years.

“We are giving them what they can’t get even in town at a relative cost of N3,000 per household monthly.

“We are hoping to serve about 30 domestic customers and 7 commercial customers comprising of 43 households.

“Although because of our cost recovery strategy, our cost may be higher as we are not subsidized in any form by anybody. The price will further be reduced as we get more people into the project,” he stressed, adding that this is the fourth project the company would be executing in the state.

The Bale thanked the private company superintending the connection of the community to solar grid and assured that the rural dwellers would stick to the agreement reached with the firm in as much as they are not going to be disappointed.

He added that the community was in dire need of water supply and public schools so as to ensure a sense of belonging, lamenting that social amenities had eluded the village.

He said, “We want to express our joy for the development coming into our community through Shaybis Nigeria Limited.

“We have not for once been connected to the National Grid not to talk to experiencing power supply.”

LikeAking:
Solar scams by this scament.

Na this solar panel go give the whole village light?

Solar panels for the masses is a big waste for now.

The maintenance is way too high.

Fg should do the right thing for once.

Dia Fada!

LikeAking:
Solar scams by this scament.

Na this solar panel go give the whole village light?

Solar panels for the masses is a big waste for now.

The maintenance is way too high.

Fg should do the right thing for once.

Dia Fada!

fergie001:


Yes, it can power the whole village because it depends on their load demand, and not the size of the village. This must have been put into consideration during the feasibility study of this project.

Again, the maintenance cost of RE systems are far less than Diesel Generators or fossil-driven conventional electricity.

The major issues of RE surrounds their high first capital cost, stochasticity and expertise (in general). I believe this has been taken care of.

I feel there should be more spacing, and the panels on the left should be tilted at an angle equivalent to the latitude of the location. I don't think that's around 6°.....(the pix might just be for illustration though).

It is a laudable project. This REA/EEP is one area I don't know how to blame the FG for, they are doing well here.

Simplyleo:

Pls which solar panel maintenance is "way too high"?

Stop making comments on what you know nothing about.

LikeAking:
God forbid!. That thing you see there cant even power medium family house room well. Na scam.

Good solar batteries are very expensive and you know how battery they take run down na? Replacement na whala.

Solar is not an option. Only the very rich should use it.

India has been installing portable dams for various rural communities.

Simplyleo:
Well, half loaf is better than none, at least this can illuminate a few houses in the community. Of course, if the solar panel on display is what they are talking about, I strongly doubt they can power 3 refrigerators.

But lemme see how some people who lack water for over 30 years will condemn this development.

I understand in some of their communities, na firewood dem dey use as light at night.

fergie001:

Not everything is scam. Which battery are you buying or which panels are you getting?

Panels are not determined by their sizes by sight but by their kilowatts peak rating.

That village, we are talking about, you are not aware if they use refrigerators....this is a remote community without grid.

That medium room, what do they use?
You don't know.....moreover, the pix might just be for illustration purposes.

They basically will have just CFLs, radio, maybe TV, Phone and that's all! When you are told a community don't have power for close to a century, that community isn't rural but VERY REMOTE.

The FG will get the good ones, and you will see the difference.

Do you set up dams, where there is no water?

LikeAking:


Guy villiage people have lots of appliances oh.

No underestimate them.

They also have lots of gens like us in the city.

They have Tv's , sound sytem, fride, acs, etc.

Unless their are no youths in that village.

LikeAking:


Have you used sole bf?

Forget all the hype?

It requires lots of batteries to run at night. Quality batteries that can power a home are not so cheap.

Naija govt has been installing solar street lights and co for years and it always end in tears.

Simplyleo:

Batteries are part of solar panel installation.

Did you see it anywhere in the report that there are no batteries for the installation?

The issue is, after installation, which "way too high" maintenance is required?

And yes, I use solar panel with 4 (200AH each) deep cycle batteries in my house. For the past 2 years plus, I haven't spent a dime on the system.

Tingotoe:
Is it possible to connect a 24v solar panel to a 12v battery? Also is it possible to connect a 24v battery to a 12v inverter?

Tingotoe:
Is it possible to connect a 24v solar panel to a 12v battery?

Also is it possible to connect a 24v battery to a 12v inverter?

LikeAking:


A Nigerian dude created a stove that can generate electricity to charge phones while cooking. It converts heat energy to power.

They can covert the heat generated by their firewood to real electricity.

FG no go se this dude.

FG must do the right thing.

Tingotoe:
Is it possible to connect a 24v solar panel to a 12v battery? Also is it possible to connect a 24v battery to a 12v inverter?

LikeAking:
Solar scams by this scament.

Na this solar panel go give the whole village light?

Solar panels for the masses is a big waste for now.

The maintenance is way too high.

Fg should do the right thing for once.

Dia Fada!