The Embassy of Japan recently announced that the Project for Provision of Solar Powered Lights in Gurara Local Government Area in Niger State has been completed and installed.
The solar powered lights have been handed over to Kabo community at the handover ceremony, according to a press release from the Embassy.
The Government of Japan granted the amount of US$92,077(Ninety-two thousand seventy-seven US dollars) under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) to a local NGO to implement the project.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Masaya Otsuka, the deputy head of mission, Embassy of japan in Nigeria, said “before our intervention, the people in Kabo community were forced to live under acute shortage of electricity. Both social and economic activities after sunset were significantly minimized.”
“. . . the Government of Japan wishes to change the situation. Today, we are handing over 75 solar powered lights to the 5 community centres and streets.
Also, we have given additional assistance to provide 10 protectors for solar lights, 50 burglary proofs and 180 pupils’ furniture at the schools, and to renovate 2 blocks of 2 classrooms and 1 headmaster’s office,” the Japanese diplomats opined.
The project is the Embassy’s first public private partnership in Nigeria supported by a Japanese private company, Kawaguchi Energy Natural Solution (Kens.co).
The Embassy of Japan hopes that this assistance will contribute towards improving access to lightin Gurara Local Government Area in Niger State and will strengthen the amicable relationship between Japan and Nigeria.
The GGP is designed to provide financial grant assistance to non-profit organisations and local governments implementing development projects at the grass-roots level. A total amount of US$10,465,858have been implemented throughout Nigeria since 1998, under the GGP 152 projects.
The projects meet diverse needs and bring a direct impact on the well-being of grass-roots communities.
Representatives from the Embassy of Japan, the Implementing Partner, Kens.co and other invitees were present at the handover ceremony.
