The United State government has commissioned a solar-powered cold storage facility at Aguobu-Iwolo in Enugu State, reports ITREALMS.
The project, Stevens said, is being implemented by Manamuz Electric, a company run by Mandela Washington Fellow, Uzo Mbamalu.
Uzo, he said, is one of 12,000 Nigerians who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs, expressing excitement over the fact that Uzo used his 6-week exchange experience at the University of Nevada-Reno to forge connections that are now benefiting his local community.
Stevens pointed out that since Mbamalu’s return to Nigeria in 2018, he stayed in contact with the university’s college of business, leading them to provide technical and business advisory support to launch this project.
“This project was further supported by a grant from the U.S. Africa Development Foundation,” he said.
The Consul General equally commended the project’s many public and private sector stakeholders, including the Enugu State Marketing Company, Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, and all the smallholder farmers, who have contributed to the success of this project.
ITREALMS recalled that its estimated that Nigeria loses nearly $9 billion annually to post-harvest waste, due to inadequate cold storage, agro-processing, and transportation infrastructure. Solar-powered cold storage systems like the one we are commissioning today provide a reliable and cost-effective preservation option for agricultural stakeholders.
“In Nigeria, as in other emerging economies, infrastructure is critical to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. Infrastructure connects workers to good jobs; allows businesses to grow and thrive, and creates opportunities for all segments of society, including underserved communities.
Meeting infrastructure needs across Nigeria requires a wide range of public and private financing options.
“No one country can go it alone and that is why the United States is investing in Nigeria's economic success through private sector engagement coupled with targeted government support.
The commissioned solar-powered cold storage facility, he said, was just one example of how the U.S. government is partnering with federal and state government agencies and businesses to promote food security in Nigeria.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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