The Delta State Government has commenced plans to install a solar power system at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council Secretariat in Asaba.
The initiative aims to provide a more reliable electricity supply for the secretariat and improve the working environment for journalists in the state.
The development comes shortly after the state government donated a bus to the NUJ Delta State Council, with the latest intervention expected to strengthen the union’s operations further.
The solar project is also part of the state government’s efforts to support professional institutions under the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
As part of preparations for the installation, an Assistant Director of Engineering in the Ministry of Energy, Eddy Ebruke, led an engineering team to inspect the NUJ Press Centre on Thursday.
The team assessed the facility to determine the technical requirements for the proposed solar power system.
The engineers inspected offices, the conference hall, guest accommodation and other sections of the secretariat that require electricity.
Speaking after the assessment, Ebruke said the inspection would enable the ministry to determine the appropriate capacity of solar panels, batteries, inverters and other equipment needed for the facility.
He assured the NUJ leadership that the proposed system would provide electricity for the different sections of the secretariat.
“The solar inverter would be able to power every office and the hall, including the accommodation for guests.
“We would ensure to have it up and running within the shortest time possible,” he said.
NUJ hails Oborevwori
The NUJ Delta State Council Chairman, Churchill Oyowe, who received the engineering team alongside the council’s Auditor, Celestine Afokobah, commended the state government for the intervention.
Oyowe described the planned solar installation as a practical demonstration of the government’s support for journalism and the operations of the union.
He also praised the Ministry of Energy for responding promptly to the request and sending its officials to assess the facility.
The NUJ chairman said the project would improve the working conditions of journalists and make the secretariat more effective.
“I am beginning to appreciate more the workings of government as a machinery that grinds slowly but steadily,” Oyowe said.
He explained that the council had initially requested a step-down transformer from the governor in the previous year.
According to him, the governor approved the request, but the council later sought to convert it to a cleaner and more efficient solar energy solution.
“We only requested the conversion of the step-down transformer less than two months ago for better and cleaner energy utilisation.
“The governor swiftly granted that also,” he said.
Oyowe described Oborevwori as a governor who had demonstrated his commitment through the implementation of promises made to the people.
“This is only possible because we have a working governor who promises and delivers,” he said.
The NUJ chairman added that the solar project would provide a more dependable source of electricity for administrative work, professional activities, meetings and accommodation at the secretariat.
He thanked Oborevwori for supporting the union and contributing to the development of journalism in the state.
The engineering team is expected to use the outcome of the inspection to determine the equipment and capacity required for the proposed installation before the project is executed.
