Senator Banigo Delivers 50KVA Solar Mini–Grid To Degema General Hospital

The people of Degema Local Government Area have expressed profound gratitude to Her Excellency, Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, DSSRS, Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District and Chairman, Joint Committee on Health of the 10th National Assembly, for the successful construction and installation of a 50kW Solar Mini-Grid with 120kWh lithium battery capacity storage at the upgraded Degema General Hospital, Rivers State.

The project, valued at one hundred Million naira , executed by Bidmusdruhill Nigeria Limited, provides a reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective power solution to support operations at both the Primary Healthcare Centre and the new Zonal Hospital, thereby strengthening capacity for essential healthcare delivery.

In separate interviews, stakeholders and health workers commended Senator Banigo for her quality representation and numerous health interventions across Rivers West. They recounted how epileptic power supply had crippled service delivery, forcing many patients to seek medical care in Port Harcourt.

Touched by their plight, Senator Banigo initiated the solar intervention, which includes 48kW of solar panels, a 50kW three-phase inverter, and 120kWh lithium battery storage system to guarantee stable and uninterrupted power supply.

The initiative, championed by the Chairman of the Joint Health Committee of the National Assembly, is aimed at addressing the high electricity tariffs and the financial burden of conventional power supply in the area, while reducing dependence on the national grid.

The solar mini-grid will power critical hospital facilities, improve the working environment for healthcare professionals, and enhance the quality of care for patients.

Other healthcare interventions facilitated by Senator Banigo across Rivers West Senatorial District include:

• A Health Insurance Scheme under the initiative “Bringing Healthcare Home”, with 6,862 cards distributed across the District, enabling beneficiaries to access healthcare services at no cost;
• Provision of medical equipment worth millions of naira to Degema General Hospital;
• Renovation of six Primary Healthcare Centres in Iselema, Mbiama, Ataba, Isile-Ogono, Ochigbo and Koroma;
• Free medical outreaches in Bonny and Degema LGAs.

Meanwhile, construction of a new healthcare centre at Ogonokom in Abua/Odual LGA is ongoing, while a new Emergency Centre in Bonny, sponsored by Senator Banigo and captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act, is expected to commence soon.

These interventions underscore Senator Banigo’s unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to quality medical services across Rivers West and Nigeria at large.