FG To Support UNN Gasification Plant To Tackle Electricity Problem In Nigeria

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Thursday, April 8th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As part of measure to solve the electricity problem facing the country, the Federal government of Nigeria, has pledged its readiness to support University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to produce more of the Refuse Drives Fuel (RDF) gasification plant .

The country’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, stated this in Nsukka on Wednesday shortly after inspecting the 500kva gasification plant built by Prof. Enenike Ejiogu led Research team from Faculty of Engineering of the University.

He applauded the research team for building a 500kva plant that supplied the administrative block of the institution with electricity which uses organic materials as fuel to function.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology is willing to support UNN research team that has made great innovation on electricity generation, that will help to solve the problem of inadequate electricity supply in the country” he said.

” This innovations will not only give more people electricity but clear refuse dumps in our streets as refuse dumps our street are now being converted to electricity, I congratulate UNN on this important achievement.

“This innovation will bring out clean environment in the country, create more jobs, wealth as well as generate electricity to power our homes and industries

The Minister therefore, urged other Nigerian universities to emulate UNN by paying special attention to science and innovation, adding that this will make universities in the country to be ranked in future among the best in the world.

“I am happy with UNN quality of research and innovation that is fulfilling the vision of founding fathers of the university.

” I urge other universities in the country to emulate UNN by paying special attention to science and innovations. I commend Prof Ejiogu led research team for this wonderful innovation as well as the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Charles Igwe, for his support and good administration in UNN

In his speech, the VC, commended the minister for his visit to see the 500kva gasification plant produced by Prof. Ejiogu led research team that now supplied electricity to the administrative block of the university.

According to him, “UNN is happy for the minister’s visit as it will go a long way to attract government and private sector support to the gasification plant.

” When this gasification plant is produced in commercial quantity, electricity problems in universities, companies industries and entire country will became a thing of the past” he stated.

“The university is happy with the invention of the gasification plant because it will help to end the monthly huge electricity bill of N80m by Enugu Electricity distribution Company (EEDC).

“This gasification plant will not only solve huge electricity bill in universities in the country but create more employment and wealth for Nigerians

Earlier, Ejiogu said the plant was designed and facilitated by the University‘s Laboratory of Industrial Electronics, Power Devices, and New Energy Systems (LIEPNES).

He explained that the plant was capable of reducing diesel consumption by 60 percent.

“With financial support from government, organization, individuals the plant will be mass produced for everybody in the country to use.

” This RDF gasification plant that is powered by organic materials like rice husk, saw dust is cheaper than any source of electricity generation.

” I appreciate the minister who in spite of his tight schedules come to UNN to see things for himself.

“The research team also appreciate the UNN-VC who has given the team the necessary support and encouragement,

It would be recalled that, in March 19, 2019, Prof Ejiogu led research team set a new record of electricity generation in the country by using organic waste to generate electricity in a 100kva Refuse Drived Fuel (RDF) gasification plant in UNN.

Our Correspondent reports that In March 18, 2021, Prof Ejiogu a Japanese trained engineer and his team installed a new 500kva plant that now supply electricity to the administrative block of UNN.

According to Ejiogu the team leader, the team had already started work to expand the plant from 500kva to 1mega watts plant.