Senator Jarigbe Lights Up Obudu Communities with Solar Streetlights
By Benjamin GBOR
The Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has facilitated the installation of solar-powered streetlights across key communities in Obudu Local Government Area. The intervention, officially flagged off this week, is aimed at enhancing public safety, fostering nighttime economic activity, and promoting sustainable development through renewable energy.
Speaking on behalf of the Senator during the launch ceremony in Obudu, Mr. Egar Mgbantul, his Constituency Officer, described the project as a strategic response to local infrastructure challenges, particularly in communities that have long suffered from power deficits and insecurity. “These streetlights will significantly reduce incidents of insecurity while also promoting nighttime economic activities in the benefiting areas,” Mgbantul said.
The communities set to benefit from the solar streetlight project include Betukwel, Ipong, Angiaba Begiaka, Okruwong, Alege (comprising Araru, Okikwo, and Abuasu), Ukpe, Bebuabong, and Ngorkpu.
Mr. Mgbantul noted that this effort is part of Senator Jarigbe’s broader vision to deploy renewable energy solutions to bridge infrastructure gaps and uplift rural communities. He emphasized that the use of solar technology not only provides an environmentally friendly solution but also ensures cost-effective, long-term lighting for areas previously underserved by the national grid.
“This is about building safer and more connected communities, using energy innovation to transform lives,” he stated. He further urged residents, especially community leaders and youth groups, to safeguard the newly installed infrastructure against vandalism and misuse. “These projects are for the benefit of everyone, and their sustainability depends on our collective responsibility,” Mgbantul added.
The streetlight project is one in a series of constituency interventions by Senator Jarigbe, who has consistently advocated for inclusive development and practical solutions to local challenges in Cross River North. Residents in the affected communities have already begun expressing optimism that the streetlights will improve mobility, reduce crime, and extend trading hours in local markets.
