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Transcript/ScriptNIGERIA ENERGY SOLUTION
HEADLINE: Solar Grid Brings Light, Progress to Rural Nigerian Community
TEASER: Rural communities in north and central Nigeria recount what life was like with frequent power outages
PUBLISHED AT: 12/03/2023 at 3:37 pm
BYLINE: Gibson Emeka
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: ABUJA, NIGERIA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Gibson Emeka
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon; KEnochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE(S): VOA Original, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:25
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[In early November, Nigeria launched its first interconnected solar hybrid mini grid in Nasarawa State to make electricity more reliable, renewable and accessible. Gibson Emeka has this story from Abuja, Nigeria, Grace Oyenubi narrates.]]
((NARRATOR))
Community health worker John Maro says he used to rely on a flashlight when working nights at the Sabon Gida Primary Health Center in Nigeria’s Nasarawa State – but that was before a solar grid arrived in his community.
((John Maro, Community Health Worker)) ((Male, in English))
“If any case came in the night, we suffer. We used torch light in order to treat our cases. And for labor cases, it’s worse. We use torch light. It’s not easy.”
((NARRATOR))
In Sabon Gida, a farming community an hour from the state capital of Lafia, community leader Dauda Yakubu says the new solar power grid is making his life easier.
[[Radio track: He says there has been progress and development in welding, pumping fuel at filling stations, grinding, water purification and refrigeration.]]
((Dauda Yakubu, Sabon Gida Community Leader)) (Male, in Hausa)))
“There has been progress and development in the field of welding, pumping fuel at filling stations, and the like, as well as grinding, water purification and refrigeration.”
((NARRATOR))
Entrepreneur Suleiman Dauda says the community is enjoying the added ease and other benefits of the solar grid.
[[Radio track: He says they didn’t have light before the solar was installed. They used a generator, which was challenging.]]
((Suleiman Dauda, Entrepreneur)) ((Male, in Hausa))
“Before solar was brought to us, we didn’t have light. We only generated light from the generator, but even at that, the generator gave us a lot of challenges."
((NARRATOR))
The first interconnected solar power grid was installed in collaboration with PowerGen — a renewable energy company in Africa that aims to close electricity gaps in rural areas.
Omobolanle Atobatele, the head of stakeholder engagement at Husk Power Systems, says in many cases, the solar companies can work with more traditional energy companies to keep the lights on.
((Omobolanle Atobatele, Husk Power Systems)) (Female, in English))) ((Mandatory courtesy: ZOOM))
“We go into areas where the distribution companies have their franchise areas but are presently underserving them with electricity with less than eighy hours, so we can partner with them to provide mini grids to buffer up the supply they are presently giving so that at least, you can have minimum 23 hours.”
((NARRATOR))
It’s a great start but a big job lies ahead. According to the World Bank, about 45% of Nigeria’s population lack access to the electricity grid.
((For Gibson Emeka in Abuja, Nigeria, Grace Oyenubi, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Emeka in Abuja, Nigeria
Embargo DateDecember 3, 2023 17:32 EST
Byline
Gibson Emeka, Grace Oyenubi, VOA News.
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
