Ben Eguzozie

Some ten thousand homes across Cross River State are receiving installation of solar electricity facilities.

The initiative being undertaken by the state electrification agency (CRSEA) beginning in
Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Abi, and Ogoja local government areas, is expected to touch many urban and semi-urban homes installed with solar-powered electricity.

However, this appears insignificant in a state of 4.4 million people, with a vast land mass measuring 20.156 km square kilometres.

In Cross River, a significant percentage of the population lacks access to electricity. While 47 percent of communities have access, only 38 percent are connected to the national grid, translating to a substantial portion of the population, especially in rural areas, relying on alternative, often unreliable, sources or lacking electricity entirely. A study by the International Journal of Management Sciences said 53 percent of the people are without electricity.

However, Governor Otu says the new electricity initiative has witnessed remarkable progress, with installations rapidly taking shape across the communities; adding that local government chairmen of the benefiting areas have commended the governor, describing it as a people-centered leadership.

The director general of the Cross River State Electrification Agency, Francis Ekpo, said the pace of work and skill in the distribution of the solar systems was satisfactory, assuring that every LGA in the state will be covered as subsequent phases extend the installations until all local governments are reached.

Residents of the four pilot LGAs have welcomed the development with excitement, describing it as life-changing intervention. The project is a collaboration between the Cross River State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abuja, with ASolar handling the installations. It is expected to improve access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy while boosting economic activities, education, and overall quality of life for rural households.