By Aaior K. Comfort
Razaq Ajala, Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has inaugurated a solar-powered charging station in Ilupeju. The new facility has the capacity to charge up to 50 devices simultaneously.
Ajala stated that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to clean energy and aims to enhance energy access for the community. He described the event as a significant milestone in the local government’s efforts to provide sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
“One of the Federal Government’s positions is to adopt clean energy as an alternative solution for energy provision. We, as a government, are aligning with this vision to provide sustainable energy for our communities,” Ajala said. He emphasized that solar energy is not only affordable but also essential for making energy more accessible to residents.
The initiative seeks to tackle the rising costs of traditional energy and promote environmental sustainability. Ajala noted that residents often spend up to N300 to charge their phones using conventional power. With this new solar charging station, they can charge their devices for free. “Instead of relying on expensive and unreliable power sources, we have provided an alternative that saves costs for our community,” he added.
Ajala also announced plans to expand the initiative to other wards and key community locations, including markets and primary health centers. “We started with this station and intend to spread it across other political wards. The goal is to ensure that most major markets and primary health centers in our community have similar projects,” he said.
He urged community members to take ownership of the solar charging station, assuring them that the local government has established mechanisms for its sustainability.
Habeeb Olajide, the engineer responsible for designing and constructing the solar kiosks, expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s potential to reduce energy poverty. “While the Federal Government is working to provide energy, the costs remain high. This project alleviates that burden by offering free charging stations to the community,” he stated. Olajide highlighted the durability of the system, noting that the solar panels come with a warranty of up to 15 years, while the battery system is expected to last four to five years.
He praised the visionary leadership of the council and encouraged local youth to explore similar initiatives, leveraging their skills to create positive community impacts rather than solely seeking employment opportunities.