BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
Rural communities in Maikunkele, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, including Dama, Mararaba, Gusase, Jimbuipi and neighbouring villages, are set to witness significant development as the Niger State Government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), moves to commence a large-scale solar power project with a generation capacity of 100 megawatts.
The development was disclosed during a stakeholders and community engagement meeting organised by the International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), with support from the New Niger Development Project and the Bosso Local Government Council.
The meeting, held at the Bosso Local Government Secretariat, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, representatives of the state government, project coordinators, consultants and other stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed solar project and its expected impact on the host communities.
Speaking at the engagement, a member of the Board of Trustee of the International Human Rights Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Awaisu Wanna, assured residents that the organisation would continue to engage the relevant authorities to ensure that the concerns of the affected communities were adequately addressed.
He said the government and relevant authorities were expected to provide essential infrastructure and social amenities capable of improving the living conditions of residents in the affected communities.
According to him, the IHRC-RFT initiated the stakeholder dialogue after coming across protests and concerns raised by some residents on social media over fears that the solar project could be installed without adequate consideration for the needs and welfare of the host communities.
He explained that the purpose of the engagement was to provide clarification, address the concerns of the residents and create a platform for constructive dialogue between the communities, government and other stakeholders involved in the project.
Wanna urged residents to view the proposed solar project as an opportunity to attract development to their communities rather than as a threat to their livelihoods.
He particularly appealed to youths in Gusase to remain calm and support the project, stressing that its successful implementation could bring significant economic and social benefits to the area.
“There is no need to protest against the project when it is capable of bringing development closer to the people. What is important is for the communities to engage with the government and the relevant authorities to ensure that their legitimate concerns are addressed,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the New Niger Development Commission (NNDC), Alhaji Mustapha Bida, disclosed that the proposed solar power project was an initiative of the Islamic Development Bank aimed primarily at supporting agricultural development and improving economic activities in the benefiting communities.
Bida said the IsDB had made provisions for the development of essential infrastructure and amenities that would have a direct impact on the lives of residents.
He listed some of the proposed interventions to include the provision of boreholes, healthcare facilities, schools and other social amenities designed to improve the wellbeing of the communities.
According to him, the provision of the amenities forms part of the development component of the project and demonstrates the commitment of the Islamic Development Bank to ensuring that host communities also derive tangible benefits from the investment.
He added that the New Niger Development Commission would play a supervisory role in the implementation of the project, particularly in ensuring that the interests of the benefiting communities were taken into consideration.
Bida further assured the youths and other critical stakeholders that the Niger State Government, under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, remained committed to taking development to rural communities across the state.
He said the siting of the solar project in Maikunkele was consistent with the government's efforts to expand infrastructure, promote agricultural development and improve access to electricity in rural areas.
The stakeholders at the meeting called for continued consultation and dialogue throughout the implementation of the project, stressing the importance of ensuring that the host communities were adequately carried along and benefited from the development.
The proposed 100MW solar project is expected to contribute to electricity generation while supporting agricultural and other economic activities in the benefiting communities.
