Maney

Pres. Tinubu spent ₦10bn on Aso Villa Solar Project so as to leave more Electricity for ordinary citizens to share — APC Spokesperson,Kemi Asekun Kemi Asekun, spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, has defended the planned installation of a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa, insisting that the project would help make more electricity available to Nigerians. Speaking during an interview on Naija Info FM, Lagos, on Friday, Asekun said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to switch the Villa to solar energy was aimed at reducing its dependence on the national grid and easing the pressure on public electricity supply. She explained that Nigeria’s increasing population had made it more difficult for the national grid to meet the country’s electricity needs, noting that the infrastructure now serves a population far larger than it was originally expected to cater for. “You see, Mr. President said, I will give you power and I will increase national grid. And now the national grid supplies, the national grid that used to supply a country of about 70 million people now has to supply a country going to about 250 million people,” she said. Responding to concerns surrounding the President’s decision to adopt solar power, Asekun said the Villa also spends considerably on electricity, making the alternative energy source a practical option. “And Mr. President said, okay, you know what? We are paying so much for power here. Let me come out of here. Let’s do solar here,” she stated. She further argued that Nigeria should maximise its abundant sunlight to generate electricity, adding that moving the Villa away from the national grid would leave more power for ordinary citizens. “Since we have free sun in Nigeria, I think that he should be for that because that leaves more power for the people,” she added.