The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Njala University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Njala Campus, Professor Bashiru Koroma has disclosed that Njala University since its creation in 1964 has never benefited from the national grid in terms of electricity supply compared to the other Higher Education Institutions in the country.

Professor Koroma made these remarks at the commissioning of the site for the commencement of works by APTECH AFRICA and the Ministry of Energy and Power towards the installation of a 100KW solar energy project for the Njala University Hospital.

He particularly asked Mr. Emmanuel Junisa the representative of the Ministry of Energy and the pioneer of the project to convey his message to the Honorable Minister that this is the right time for him to focus his attention on Njala University with a view to providing sustainable energy for the University.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor thanked the head of APTECH AFRICA for his commitment to undertake the project and complete it before the required period and assured him of his administration support at all times.

Professor Koroma instructed the Energy Committee to work closely with the contractor and especially provide him with one employee that will undergo some apprenticeship to late take over the generation and maintenance of the facility.

The project is funded by the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and involves the installation of 100kw solar energy at Njala hospital, provision of water at the hospital and Mokonde community, and a drip irrigation facility at the lower nursery of the Horticulture Department at the University.

Director of Physical Plant Services and also a member of the University Energy Committee earlier on welcomed the Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Junisa, and representatives from APTECH AFRICA who are the contractors for the project.

The University Registrar, Dr. Muneer Jalloh on behalf of the University Administration welcomed the representative of the Ministry of Energy, traditional authorities, and members of APTECH Africa and noted that energy has always been a critical challenge for the University and that his Administration is encouraged by the fact that the project to give Njala University 1mega watt has started with an initial installation of 100 KW.

He concluded by urging the people of Mokonde to be always hopeful that when the University benefits they will also have a share.

The Town Chief for Mokonde Pa Ngebah thanked the Ministry of Energy and NjALA University for considering his people in such a laudable project and assured them that the immediate communities would always support every elopement project that is undertaken to better the lives of his people.

Mr. Asteway of APTECH Africa gave a background to the process of they been selected as contractors for the project and gave a comprehensive scope of the project which according to him is divided into three components and this includes 100 solar Power energy for the Njala University hospital, water component which will separately supply the hospital and the Mokonde Community and an irrigation supply system for the lower nursery of the University.

He went on to assure the University authorities that even though his company is expected to hand over the completed project in March 2021 they will work hard to hand over the project before this time.

Mr.Asteway appealed for collaboration between his company and the community and University authorities especially in the provision of storage for his equipment and other safety materials for his workforce. Dr.Phillip Monya, the beneficiary of the drip irrigation component of the project assured the DVC that he will work towards transforming his lower nursery to a marketing garden system that will serve as an agricultural hub for the marketing of vegetables.

Dr.Mohamed, Senior Medical Officer, Njala University Hospital thanked the contractors and the Ministry of Energy for the 100 KW project and indicated that it was his desire since he came back from the UK to have the University equipped with water and electricity.

He concluded that he and the University authorities and other private sector players are working hard to ensure that the hospital becomes a center for teaching, research, and referral.

The climax of the event was the eventual handing over of the site to APTECH AFRICA by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Koroma.

Work almost immediately started with the surveying of the land that will occupy the facility at the hospital and the two stand-pipes at the Mokonde Village.