- Title: Nigerians harness solar energy as they rebuild after Boko Haram attacks.
- Date: 11th January 2017
- Summary: ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HOUSES IN RUINS SOLAR PANELS/ WATER TANKS VARIOUS OF WOMAN GOING TO FETCH WATER VARIOUS OF VARIOUS OF RESIDENTS FETCHING WATER WOMAN LEAVING WITH WATER GALONS IN WHEELBARROW WATER TANK GIRLS TALKING MOTHER AND CHILDREN (SOUNDBITE) (English) MOJILI RESIDENT, JACOB MUSA SAYING: "Before the solar, we used to fetch water in the stream but since the solar comes we stop going to the stream because the solar gives us water so much." (SOUNDBITE) (Hausa) MOJILI RESIDENT, ABRAHAM BULGUMI SAYING: "All the people of this community are benefiting from these boreholes. One of the boreholes has stopped functioning properly, but we are hoping it will be fixed in time." ABRAHAM BULGUMI WALKING VARIOUS OF ABRAHAM BULGUMI PACKING HIS SOLAR POWER KIT VARIOUS OF SOLAR PANEL CHARGING ON ROOF LIGHT BULB BEING SWITCHED ON VARIOUS OF SIGNBOARD READING (English): 'GARAHA HEALTH CENTRE ADAMAWA STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OPEN 24HRS' VARIOUS OF SOLAR PANEL ON ROOF SOLAR POWER BOX SOLAR POWER CONTROLLER VARIOUS OF NURSE CHECKING PATIENTS BLOOD PRESSURE FACILITY MANAGER MOJILI HEALTH CENTRE, JOEL MARKUS OPENING FRIDGE DRUGS IN FRIDGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FACILITY MANAGER MOJILI HEALTH CENTRE, JOEL MARKUS SAYING: "There is even so many cases of hepatitis in this community now and the problem is because they did not have the vaccine earlier, so that is the cause of the problem they are having. But now since we have the vaccine, I believe the cases going to be less." VARIOUS OF SOLAR POWER PLANT
- Embargoed: 25th January 2017 14:41
- Keywords: Solar Energy Boko Haram Electricity Infrastructure
- Location: ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
- City: ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0015YMZ32V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Vandalized houses in Gahara Mojiri, a village in Nigeria's northeastern Adamawa state, bear the hallmarks of militant Islamist group Boko Haram, destroyed by the militants who raided people's homes and meted out attacks on residents here in early 2015.
The group which wants to create a state adhering to strict Sharia law in the region displaced over 2 million people from their homes and killed thousands in a 7 year insurgency.
As a result the infrastructure was destroyed leaving residents without electricity and other services like healthcare.
Many of those who fled the violence have since returned home since the militants lost most of the territory they took over to the Nigerian army.
In an effort to help residents rebuild, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has introduced solar panels in the village located in the Hong Local government area.
Residents are now able to access clean water using solar powered water pumps and street lighting to help improve on security.
"Before the solar, we used to fetch water in the stream but since the solar comes we stop going to the stream because the solar gives us water so much," said Gahara Mojiri, Jacob Musa.
"All the people of this community are benefiting from this boreholes. One of the boreholes has stopped functioning properly, but we are hoping it will be fixed in time," added another Gahara Mojiri resident," Abraham Bulgumi.
Tapping renewable energy is helping tackle persistent energy shortages in the region as people work to develop themselves.
The solar panels have been set up in 8 villages, benefiting over 13,000 people. Residents are also now able to charge their mobile phones as well as use clean energy to light up their homes.
At the nearby Garaha Health centre, patients can access vaccines that were not available to them a few years ago.
The hospital is using a solar powered refrigerator to store much needed vaccines and also uses solar to meet other energy needs.
Joel Markus is the facility manager at Mojili Health Centre.
"There is even so many cases of hepatitis in this community now and the problem is because they did not have the vaccine earlier, so that is the cause of the problem they are having. But now since we have the vaccine, I believe the cases going to be less," he said.
Though Nigeria's army has pushed the Islamist group back to its base, the militants still stage suicide bombings. In recent years Boko Haram's attacks have spilled into neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad, which security analysts say suggests it has multiple bases. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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