The Federal Government has awarded a N3.8bn contract to construct a 2MW solar mini-grid to generate electricity at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Affairs of the university, Abdullahi Abdullahi, a copy of which was made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday.
According to the statement, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Musa Yakasai, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“The contract for the project, which has already been awarded by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology at the cost of N3.8bn, will soon commence,” Abdullahi was quoted as saying.
The ECN boss stated that the project is expected to be completed within three months.
“The Renewed Hope solarisation initiative cuts across every state, and the infrastructure expected to benefit most are hospitals, tertiary institutions, and rural areas,” the Director-General emphasised.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu approved the flag-off of a four-megawatt solar project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital after two patients reportedly died due to a lack of electricity.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi, who had earlier facilitated the provision of 200 units of streetlights to the university, disclosed that an additional 200 units would soon be delivered.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor, members of the Governing Council, staff, and students for the support shown to him.
Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Yakasai, commended the Director-General for his contributions to the development of the university, particularly in the area of power supply.
He specifically appreciated the provision of 200 units of streetlights, noting that the intervention significantly improved security and created a more conducive environment for students to study at night.
Yakasai also congratulated the Director-General on his appointment by Tinubu and called for further collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in renewable energy development, the establishment of a central energy laboratory, the deployment of energy calculators, and training initiatives.FG awards N3.8bn solar mini-grid contract at Aliko Dangote varsity