Di Nigerian Institute of Medical Research don commission new 100 KVA solar power system to tackle di light wahala wey dey affect dia research and diagnostic work. Di solar facility wey cost N300 million na gift from Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, and dem commission am for Friday for NIMR headquarters for Lagos.
According to NIMR, dis solar system go give steady light to key laboratories and research facilities, make work dey go smooth, reduce how dem dey use generator, and help di environment. During di ceremony, di Director-General of NIMR, Prof John Obafunwa, wey di Director of Administration, Mr Bitrus Nelson, represent, call di intervention strategic and timely. He talk say reliable electricity di essential for di institute to do dia work of producing evidence for health policies.
Obafunwa say di solar installation don already dey support important areas like di COBAS laboratory for HIV viral load testing, molecular laboratories for PCR analysis, di biobank wey get ultra-low temperature freezers, seminar halls, and other support units. He explain say steady light di vital for lab research, cold chain systems, emergency readiness, and data management. Di system go help keep valuable research specimens safe and make sure essential diagnostic and research services no stop.
Di Managing Director of ECEWS, Dr Andy Eyo, describe NIMR as critical for Nigeria public health and global health security. He say di solar project na part of bigger plan to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for di country. Eyo disclose say di N300 million project get 312 solar panels wey each be 705 watts, two 209 KVA lithium battery units, and two 50 KVA inverters. He call am di most advanced solar facility wey dia organisation don deploy for Nigeria health sector.
Representing di Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, Obafunwa commend ECEWS for supporting health and research. He say investments for renewable energy for health and research institutions di critical for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service continuity. Obafunwa recall say when he take office for August 2024, di institute monthly electricity bill pass N48 million, and later rise to between N49 million and N52 million, even with small government subvention. Since then, NIMR don introduce measures like prepaid meters and stricter energy management to reduce consumption.
NIMR say di solar system currently dey support three critical facilities: di COBAS building complex for viral testing, HIV and tuberculosis specimen analysis and diagnostic results; and di Biobank facility where sensitive biological samples dey preserved under ultra-low temperature. Di institute add say di intervention go boost dia ability to sustain research, improve diagnostic services, and help Nigeria renewable energy and climate goals.
