Adafila is an agrarian community in Oyo State that has been without public electricity supply for 45 years. SOJI AJIBOLA writes about how this community is now enjoying uninterrupted electricity supply from a solar mini grid and the changes this development has brought to the lives of the people.
History was made recently at Adafila community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State with the installation and connection of over 2,700 houses to the 90 kilowatt-peak (kWP) solar mini-grid.
The agrarian communities that shared boundaries with Ikoyi-Ile and Igbeti had in the past, for more than 45 years, depended on lanterns and candle light to see at night and power generating sets as their source of energy.
This development forced many of their entrepreneurial residents to migrate to the neighbouring communities in order to grow their businesses.
In addition, the economy of the community with a population of over 4,500 people experienced a setback due to the prevailing darkness. The local entrepreneurs run their businesses on power generating sets and with the Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol being sold in the area at between N670 and N700 per litre, businesses were being run at a loss.
Many unfulfilled promises had been made in the past by successive administrations in the country to better the lot of the people of the Adafila.
While the neighboring communities in Ogbomoso axis were enjoying electricity, even though it was not all that regular, it was not so in Adafila community.
However, recently, with the installation of a solar mini-grid with capacity to serve over 1,000 households.
The cries of the community caught the attention of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Ministry of Power and the World Bank with the installation of the solar grid as a response.
Business and other activities have taken off on an impressive note. Dwellers have started returning back to the town to prosper their businesses.
Mrs Karimo Adebisi said having electricity in Adafila is a dream come true. “Initially, we thought it would not happen in our life time but now it has happened.
“I run a mini store where I am selling various brands of soda drinks. The drinks are chilled. You can hardly differentiate between solar generating electricity and other forms of power.
“It is pay as you go. We have our prepaid meters. I spend not up to N2,500 in a month,” she said.
Also, Mr Fatai Balelayo, the owner of a sachet water factory in the town, is full of praises to the present administration at the federal and state levels for ending the sufferings of the people of Adafila.
He said, “I was born over 40 years ago in this community. There was nothing like electricity in this community. Even our forebears did not enjoy it. I run my business on power generating set. For every production, I spend between N35,000 and N40,000 to power the generating set.
“However, with the installation and connection of the community to the solar mini grid, I spend N5,000.
“This solar power is economical compare to power generating set. With the current fuel price of between N600 to N700 per litre, depending on the location, the solar power is advisable.
“Since electricity generation is on the exclusive list of the Federal Government, I want to plead that solar power should be provided in some of the communities that are yet to be connected to the national grid.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured various communities in Oyo State that the era of darkness is over.
Electricity generation, according to him, remains part of the topmost priorities of the President Bola Tinubu led administration
“With the delivery of this 90KwP solar hybrid mini-grid, the industrious people of Oyo State and the people of Adafila community have received another lifeline to improve upon their contribution to national development through locally-driven socio-economic growth. Sustainable energy remains the most pivotal catalyst for growth and transformative change.
“This is why His Excellency, the president has tasked us with the responsibility of exploiting all available technologies and models to ensure the equitable deployment of sustainable energy solutions for Nigerians. Over the years, the ministry has continued to optimise the mandate of the Rural Electrification Agency.
“Today, we witness one out of the many completed and ongoing projects in Oyo State and all 36 states, including the FCT. In line with our mandate to build a brighter future, these projects are not mere social infrastructure; they are beacons of hope, symbols of progress and catalysts for change.
“They signify a departure from the past and a step towards a future where energy poverty is relegated to history. Ladies and gentlemen, we already have the assurance of strong willpower from His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.
“It is therefore with great delight that I witness strategy in action, assessing the nationwide impact of the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project Performance-Based Grant.
“This project you witness here today is one of over 100 delivered through this programme, nationwide. Last year, His Excellency signed into law the 2023 Electricity Act, laying the foundation for a new era of collaboration and strategic impact, where state governments play a pivotal role in shaping the electricity landscape.
“I must use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Power continues to optimise the objectives of this Act while engaging in productive multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder engagements to chart a clear course. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, we are witnessing the dawn of a brighter future.
“As we tour the Adafila mini-grid today, let us remember that the impact extends beyond the illumination of homes and the powering of businesses. This project was designed to represent a commitment to socioeconomic growth. It signifies enhanced healthcare services, as community clinics can operate efficiently. It symbolises economic opportunities, as small and medium enterprises flourish with a constant and affordable power supply. However, these achievements are not the end but the beginning. We must continue to work together, innovate, and extend the benefits of electricity to every corner of our state and nation. Our goal is not just illumination; it is transformative change through the productive use of this infrastructure. I urge the people of Adafila to make the best of this intervention and equally serve as a partner to ensure the sustainability of this project. Adafila, you now have a window of opportunity to explore and exploit the many opportunities that come with energy access.
“I use this opportunity to thank my Governor, our Governor, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde for providing all the support needed by the REA team in the course of this project. Kudos to the project developer, Havenhill for continually buying into the REA mandate as one of the verified private sector developers under this programme. In conclusion, let this mini-grid project stand as a testament to what we can achieve when we unite with a common purpose to deliver energy to all Nigerians,” Adelabu said.
Also, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihjo Ahmad, said the grid has the capacity to service no fewer than 2,000 houses with their various electrical appliances.
He said the facility was designed in such a way that it can accommodate more houses in case of an expansion in the future.
Ahmad added that with the connection of Adafila to the solar grid, the issue of poverty and epileptic supply of power has become a thing of the past.
He said, “Adafila is a vibrant community and, like many vibrant unserved and underseved communities across the nation, energy poverty remains a stumbling block to socioeconomic growth.
“We have witnessed over and over again the transformative change that comes with energy access infrastructure in off-grid communities and we celebrate with the people of Adafila for the successful completion of this 90KwP solar hybrid mini-grid. With much confidence, I can report back that the Federal Ministry of Power, through the Minister, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has a mandate to accelerate the process of alleviation of energy poverty in line with the vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The RENEWED Hope agenda of Mr. President is an agenda that has its roots in the realization of people-focused, data-driven interventions for national development. This is why we are witnessing the growth of strategic partnerships across all 36 states after the passage of the 2023 Electricity Act by His Excellency the President. Over the years, we have optimised the NEP to strengthen the off-grid space while deploying over 100 mini-grids and powering over five million Nigerians through this singular programme.
“With the successful implementation of the programme, we are confident in the model and positioned for an even wider impact across the nation.Our focus remains the same, with a renewed sense of purpose: to accelerate the deployment of sustainable energy solutions for productive use, socio-economic growth, and transformative change in unserved and underserved areas.
“We, therefore, use this opportunity to call on the good people of Adafila to now see themselves as co-partners in the business of nation-building. assessment in this zone, my team and I visited a farm village in Ijebu Ode where we deployed a 100KwP solar hybrid mini-grid through our programmatic intervention.
“That project continues to aid agricultural productivity in that village.Before then, I and my team were equally received by the people of Budo-are in Itesiwaju LGA of Oyo state where we deployed a 100Kwp solar hybrid mini-grid. Just yesterday, my team assessed the 100KwP solar hybrid mini-grid in Elekonkan community and I am happy to confirm that this project is equally completed.
“We therefore assure you that this Adafila is only one out of the many completed and ongoing REA projects in the South-West zone and one out of the many completed and ongoing projects in Oyo State. We, therefore, thank the Oyo State Government for the consistent support we continue to receive as we deliver on the mandate of the agency in this zone.”
