EDO: It’s time to invest in renewable energy, Obaseki tells FG

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki has urged the Federal Government to explore and invest in renewable energy as an alternative power solution.

Obaseki said this step would help to mitigate the effects of perennial power problem and the epileptic power situation in the country.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Crusoe Osagie, the governor made the call during an interactive session yesterday with the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Agba, and members of Edo Solar Engineers and Installers in Benin City.

He said, “I think it is time for us to take renewable energy seriously, with electricity tariffs likely to go up. I believe that in terms of costing, renewable energy should now be market-competitive in terms of pricing.

“We can electrify our country. We can electrify rural communities. We have gas; we have a lot of electrical terminals in and around the state, but there are so many underserved communities.”

He added, “I went round the 192 wards of the state during my electioneering campaign (sic)  and most of our communities were in darkness. I made a promise to them that we were going to bring light to them.

“We are a government of light, and therefore, we are going to partner with the Federal Government and the Rural Electrification Agency to make sure that light gets to our people,” he assured.