The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), on Tuesday inaugurated an expanded 3-horsepower (hp) solar-powered cold room in Sagbokoji fishing community, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The upgraded facility will strengthen fish preservation and improve the livelihoods of women in the riverine settlement, and complements the existing 26kW peak solar photovoltaic power generation system, supported by a combined 22kVA inverter and 50kWh battery energy storage system installed between 2024 and 2025.

GEF-SGP UNDP Programme Assistant, Mrs Rose Agbo, who spoke at the inauguration, described the expansion as necessary and a response to requests from women beneficiaries, who complained that the earlier solar-powered freezers could no longer meet the growing demand for cold storage.

Agbo said, “Consequently, we went back to the drawing board with the grant beneficiary to improve the power supply to the cold room.

“And now, with an additional 3hp solar-powered cooling system, it is now being powered solely by 100 per cent solar power with battery energy storage and inverter systems, and the women are now able to preserve more of their products.

“And everyone is excited about it.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF), Dr Daniel Adeuyi, described the project as a practical demonstration of the forum’s commitment to translating policy discussions into meaningful community development.

“The forum is not just to gather stakeholders together to exchange ideas; it is to translate the ideas into action.

“Today, we have come on an action learning tour to see the fruits of the gatherings making real impacts in the lives of communities such as Sagbokoji.

“This marks our inauguration of a sustainable solar-powered cold room to serve this fishing community, helping to expand a clean energy-powered cooling chain for preserving their catch of fish from the wild.”

Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) and NEF Co-Chair, Engr Adekunle Makinde, expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the excitement displayed by residents reflected the value of the intervention.

“They welcomed us with smiles, dancing and singing. We went into the cold room together. They proudly showed us what they have experienced in terms of the cold room performance.

“They are really excited and happy. We also reminded them that the facility must be properly managed and sustained because it is expected to generate income for their association,” he said.

The leader of the Fish Sellers Association, Sagbokoji, Mrs Jiselle Azankpo, expressed appreciation to GEF-SGP and UNDP for completing the expansion of the facility.

“We have tested it, and it is working perfectly. We are so delighted about it,” she said.

Azankpo promised donors that the infrastructure would be properly maintained by the association’s members.