One hundred households in the Kaani community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, are set to receive sustainable electricity through a solar energy project initiated by the Lekeh Development Foundation with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.
The project, titled “Accelerating Clean Energy Transition for a Climate-Resilient Future in Khana Local Government Area,” aims to tackle energy poverty, enhance climate resilience, and promote livelihood opportunities in off-grid communities.
During a fact-finding visit to the project site, National Coordinator of the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, Ibironke Olubamise, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative.
According to her, the intervention will not only supply solar power to a community that has never been connected to the national grid but will also train youths to become solar technicians and clean energy entrepreneurs.
“One of the most remarkable things about this project is that Kaani community has never had electricity, yet it is located on the mainland,” Olubamise noted. “We are supporting Lekeh Development Foundation not just to install solar systems but also to build local capacity through training. Beneficiaries will be equipped to maintain the solar infrastructure and become climate change advocates and entrepreneurs.”
She added that the project aligns with UNDP-GEF’s mandate to foster environmental sustainability while improving livelihoods in underserved communities. “It’s about adaptation, livelihood improvement, and environmental protection. Nature is our life, and we must learn to live in harmony with it.”
Executive Director of Lekeh Development Foundation, Friday Nbani, explained that the initiative is central to the organization’s advocacy for a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in Ogoni communities and the wider Niger Delta region.
“‘Lekeh’ means a beautiful environment, and as an organization, we are committed to ensuring that Nigerians especially in frontline communities have access to clean and sustainable energy.
“We are proud to have secured funding from the GEF and grateful for the community support, particularly from the traditional ruler whose letter backed our proposal.”
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He emphasized the importance of community ownership and called for broader collaboration: “This is not a project Lekeh can execute alone. We invite government and private sector partners to join us in making the Niger Delta a green region.”
His Royal Highness, Mene Godwin Apere (Mene Bua Kaani), expressed joy over the development, describing it as a “long-awaited miracle” for a community that has lived in darkness for generations.
“We are highly excited. This project brings hope and will empower our people. In today’s world, electricity is critical not just for communication and information access but for economic growth and human development.”
He also called on the federal government and other agencies to complement the solar project with interventions in water supply, education, and infrastructure, noting that HYPREP is currently implementing a water project in the area but power is needed to operate it effectively.
Barry-Yobo Melody, Project Manager at Lekeh Development Foundation, said Kaani was chosen for the pilot phase due to its prolonged lack of power supply.
“Kaani has suffered decades of energy poverty, which has stifled economic activity and deepened poverty. This solar initiative is a bold step toward changing that narrative and showing what clean energy can do for development,” she stated.
The solar electrification project is expected to serve as a model for replication in other Ogoni and Niger Delta communities, accelerating the region’s transition to renewable energy while building resilience to climate change.
