The Lagos State Government has launched the first ever solar lamp and solar water heater in Nigeria. It will be distributed for use in rural areas, where there is no electricity. Commissioner for Rural Development, Prince Lanre Balogun unveiled the two solar projects to newsmen in Lagos
yesterday, saying that 200 solar lamps will be distributed free to 200 households in rural communities as a pilot scheme while it is expected that in the long run, all households in villages not connected to national grid would get such lamps.
The lamp is charged with a solar panel and could last for 48 hours when charged. The lamp could also charge mobile phones and is durable. It will serve as alternative to the use of lanterns by rural dwellers.
According to Balogun, the solar lamp is an innovation and is designed for use in rural areas, saying that it is less expensive and save households the money they would have used in buying kerosene for their lanterns.
“This solar lamp is one of our innovations in the ministry and we will deploy it to rural areas. For now, we will deploy the lamps to selected communities. We are going to give 200 households a lamp each starting from the head of the community.
“We have been working on this project in the last two and half years, we are doing a test-run now and as soon as the lamps get accepted by the people, we will get more. In the long run, every household in Lagos not connected to electricity should get the lamp,” he stated.
He said for now, the solar lamps were manufactured outside the country and that there was the possibility of setting up an assembly plant in Lagos to manufacture the lamps locally.
On the solar water heater, Balogun said it would really assist the rural dwellers in getting hot water, especially during cold season rather than using firewood to boil their water.
“This is very efficient and cost effective and with it, you don’t need electricity. Our focus is the rural area and we will start from there. We are going to start with 10 communities but we have approval to provide 100 solar water stations,” he said.