By Thompson ABISOLA
No fewer than 200 entrepreneurs in rural communities in Bauchi state are to benefit from ExxonMobil Nigeria renewable energy program in partnership with a non-governmental organization (NGO), Solar Sister.
The ExxonMobil Managing Director, Mr Paul McGrath said in Abuja on Wednesday that this was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
He said that the project would focus on empowering internally displaced persons who had been resettled to have a better life.
“You know energy poverty in Africa and specifically in Nigeria is a great problem and we are partnering with Solar Sister to take some initial steps with the 200 entrepreneurs right now. For us, this is the beginning of a beautiful job.
“We see that as such a big opportunity and as you know, renewable energy for the country is imperative,” he said.
McGrath added that the programme would also help the communities to learn how to use energy wisely.
He noted that the women in the benefiting communities would be assisted to develop their own business by exploring other opportunities.
“That is for us what Corporate Social Responsibility represents,” McGrath said.
Commenting on the choice of Bauchi as the pilot state, he said it was chosen because it is one of the states that Solar Sister had not entered with renewable energy programme.
He said that Solar Sister had done such projects in about 23 states.
“We see this as the beginning of that journey with Solar Sister, 200 initially and then graduating to bigger number, then from Bauchi it can be extended to other parts of Nigeria.
