Some communities in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Cyril Hart, and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) for the solar street lights in their various domains.

Some of the communities which are beneficiaries of the project include Aganya, Orosikiri, Akatikpo Park Community, Ayambo Community, Shell Pipeline Area, James Hart Street and Light House Fishing Settlement in Finima Community.

The project, which is the purchase and installation of solar street lights in Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency of Rivers State, is a 2024 Constituency Project by the Federal Government through the SDG Office.

Rep Cyril hart had earlier explained that the community solar light-up initiative is aimed at further enhancing the security of Bonny local government¹and businesses.

He explained further that it was also to mitigate the effects of climate change in the environment and enable the Federal Government access renewable energy grants to further address Nigeria’s energy deficit.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, Chairman of Aganya Community in Bonny LGA, expressed the appreciation of his people to Rep Cyril Hart and the SDG Office, appealing for more of the street lights to cover every aspect of the community.

The areas where the lighting points are present right now are not enough. We still need more. Hon. Cyril has done very well. We really appreciate him.”

Secretary of the Community, Precious Jumbo had earlier explained to Kristina Reports that

“I want to sincerely thank the SDG for this initiative because before now this place is usually dark at night not because we don’t have light.”

“We have light in Bonny but we don’t has street light as this to brighten up the areas especially some dark spots and most times these hoodlums hide there and commit crimes.”

“So, I want to really appreciate the SDG for coming up with this project because it has impact as you can see, you can even pick a pin from the ground. It has added value.”

The Youth Leader of the Community, Above Allison, and other residents, Eric Jumbo and Dienye Hart, also extolled the SDG Office and Rep Cyril Hart for the gesture, appealing for more of such to be done in the community.

On his part, Secretary of Ayambo Community, Tamuno-Omonibo Jumbo described the solar street light-up project as “a welcome development”, noting that in terms of functionality and sustainability, the project was the best for the community.

“Well, it is a welcome development, actually. It seems to be the best alternative to our usual electricity supply because it doesn’t need any grid to function and it doesn’t need anybody to on it when it is time. It just comes on having sensed any form of darkness within the cloud. It will just come up automatically.”

“So, it’s a good one, and we actually appreciate it. It is a well thought-out setting, frankly, because we used to hear about solar light serving the whole settlement free and without any issues.”

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Procloud Prostars Limited, Rex Banigo said, so far, 111 solar street lights have been installed across the beneficiary communities, informing that the project was awarded by the Sustainable Development Goals Office through the efforts of the lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep Cyril Hart.

“The first phase has actually gone, this is another phase, a 111 solar street light project and it is a contract that is awarded by the SDG Office through the efforts of the lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep Cyril Hart.”

“This project is actually through his force, through his push that is why we are here today, and the project covers Mission School, Ayambo, Aganya and Park Community; we’re also covering Ukpo Avenue, some parts of Ukpo Avenue.”

“The way Bonny is there are areas where there is darkness here and there and there are social vices, and that is why Rep Cyril Hart had thought it wise to say no, his people must have street light project and that is why you have this solar street light project.

“Also, the SDG also felt in their own magnanimity that if Honourable is asking for it then we have to give them. He did everything possible to make sure this project is here.”

He further disclosed that the project is an ongoing process targeted at 100% coverage of Bonny and Degema LGAs, stressing that aside the solar street light there are several other projects which have been attracted to the constituency.

“As it is happening in Bonny it’s also happening in Degema, you know that our rep is representing Bonny and he is also representing Degema so the same project going on in Bonny is also going on in Degema. And there are also a lot of projects he has attracted to these constituencies which we will also bring to your knowledge.”