How Communal Participation In Solar Light Installation Addresses Infrastructure Gaps In South East Nigeria.

Communal Participation In Solar Light Installation Addressing Infrastructure Gaps In South East Nigeria.

• a solution journalism report by AMARACHI ADIMUKO

Provision of basic infrastructures like building of schools, hospitals, construction of roads, provision of pipe borne water and electricity are the primary functions of the government. However, in Nigeria, these functions don’t get the required attention from the government and the South East is not an exemption.

Due to the infrastructure gaps in the South East, access to basic amenities have become an unreachable dream for some communities, thereby prompting citizens to ‘take the bull by the horn’ by carrying out community development projects directed towards bridging these gaps with or without government support. Community development simply means a practice where community members come together to makn on what’s important to them.

One of the major drivers of development is energy, it’s importance cannot be overemphasized. As we use it in the form of electricity to light up our homes, to cook and even in the hospitals, for the refrigeration of drugs. Electricity drives away acts of criminality which thrives undercover of darkness by increasing visibility while enhancing the beauty of the environment, it also improves the nightlife of the people and business activities especially at night.

Just like other states in the South East, most communities in Imo State are grappling with negligence from the government on basic amenities like, primary health centers, schools, roads and electricity. In response to this social problem in the area of lack of electricity, on 23^rd December 2023; the people of Umuihi a community in Ihitte Uboma L.G.A., of Imo State; inaugurated a solar light installation project which they tagged “Project Light up Umuihi” as a solution to lack of electricity in their community.

Umuihi is a community in Ihitte Uboma LGA located in the Okigwe North Senatorial zone of Imo State, the community has produced some prominent sons and daughters like the late wife of former governor Sam Mbakwe, Nwaeruru and the former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the late senator Benjamin Uwajumogu.

In this report, we’re exploring the viability of the project, sustainability, it’s benefits to the community and challenges facing the project.

Speaking to the community Prime Minister who also happens to be the initiator of the project, Chief Romanus Ikechukwu Igwe, on the choice of the project and how long the community stayed without light, he stated that the community had electricity light but their street lights weren’t functioning due to the epileptic power supply in the country as they were connected to electricity.

The secretary of the project, Hon. Okonkwo Chukwunenye said that the community members are fully involved, starting from the installation and security, he also mentioned that the project is self sustaining…

The treasurer of the lighting project committee, Hon. Dr. Oluchi Igwe; spoke on reluctance as the major challenge encountered during the planning of the project.

The community dwellers expressed their joy and how the light has impacted in their day-to-day life…

The security officers in the community also spoke on how the light has made their works easier and their efforts towards securing the light from vandals.

The project manager, Rev. Fr. Onyedikachi Agoawike, said personal interest on the light location and logistics issues were the major problems he encountered during the installation of the light. He also stated that the lights were handed over to the security personnel and members of each village to ensure it’s sustainability, he also spoke on its impact on education and community nightlife.

While Vandalism and theft are the major problems of this kind of projects, I confirmed that even after over a year, the project is still functioning. Reason being that in most communities where this kind of project is being vandalized, they used the type of solar light that is installed in the ground, with bolts and poles, which the bolts and nuts can easily be loosed overnight and then vandalized. But in Umuihi, they fixed the solar lights on already existing electric poles, that means for it to be vandalized, the vandals needs a ladder and even if they succeed in getting one before they could climb up and down, they might’ve been caught already.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of the sons and daughters of Umuihi in the community, outside the community, and in the diaspora, which further elaborates the importance of communal participation in community development. Therefore, other communities can actually follow the steps of Umuihi community, organize themselves and carry out developmental projects in their communities, it can be street light, pipe borne water, renovation of health centers etc.

With light illuminating the community, crime and the fear that it generates which impaires the quality of life of the people has been reduced in a significant number of members of the community, moving around freely even at night as they can see what is in front of them and not scared by hidden figures. So, street lighting can reduce crime disorder and fear among community dwellers while improving business and nightlife of the community.

  - This report by Omalicha 91.1fm - the voice for developmment, is supported by Nigeria Health Watch