Olumba lights up Cross River communities with solar energy – Converseer

CALABAR – The leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has lit up several communities with the commissioning of a 245kW solar power plant in Calabar, Cross River State.

Converseer reports that the plant, BCS Green Energy Project, located at the headquarters of the BCS, 34 Ambo Street, Calabar, will provide uninterrupted power supply to communities not limited to Ambo, Ika Ika, Asikpo, Mbukpa and other strategic places.

The first phase of the project includes the following account, with the estimated installed load capacity: Holy Father’s Palace – 50kW, Green Building/The Vestry – 30kw, Ambo Great Hall – 40kW, StarCross TV/Mother Onugen – 30kW, No. 39 – 65kW, and Sparkling FM – 30kW.

The mega project was commissioned on Saturday (19 April 2025) by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, who was represented by Fred Olumba Obu.

Speaking during the commissioning, the State Governor, Apostle Bassey Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, thanked Olumba for embracing renewable energy as well as extending his humanitarian services in the state.

The Commissioner who was also represented by Amb. Thomas Ogbuaka, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, said what the organisation has done will give the state a boost in terms of power supply.

“I thank the Father (Olumba) for what he has done for us today. You are a torchlight in the direction we have already taken, the renewal energy. You have already made it known that you can handle everything – from manpower to sustainability.

“We give you thanks for not just buying equipment and installing it but for having the initiative to power many homes and businesses.

“You have been a blessing to this area. Before now, you’ve been supplying water; today is electricity for the neighbourhood. I remain grateful for your hard work, and I pray that for what you have taken as a commitment to human service, you will not lack in Jesus name,” he said.

Briefing on the project, the BCS Green Power Project Director, Princess Ibum Olumba Obu, said the project was the vision of Leader Olumba. “Every light that now shines, every current that flows with clean energy, is a direct manifestation of His Word made visible.

“This is not merely the launch of a solar installation, it is the rise of a prophetic reality. The 245kW solar project is more than infrastructure. It is a sacred signpost, a radiant testament to the vision of the Holy Father unfolding in fullness,” she said.

On his part, the BCS Green Power Project Manager, PCS Chukuyenum Uzoelum, said the project commenced on 6 May 2024 and was fully completed on 11 April 2025 – that is, less than a year.

According to Uzoelum, “The primary objective of this project is to generate clean, renewable energy from the sun, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, reducing noise and air pollution from generator fumes, and also contributing to sustainability efforts. This system would aim to lower electricity costs by providing an alternative to grid power, with the potential for substantial savings over time, especially savings from the use of a generator.

“Prior to the completion of this project, the current monthly cost of procuring diesel to power AMBO stood at 21 million naira, with an estimated annual cost of 252 million naira. This is unsustainable, hence the need to carry out the installation of a 245kW Solar Power System to help reduce the cost by a minimum of 70%. In essence, the installation of a 245kW solar power system is designed to achieve long-term environmental, financial, and energy-related benefits while contributing to broader sustainability goals.”

Addressing journalists on behalf of the Power Systems Engineering Head – PCS Engr. Onya Agha, the Deputy Engineer, Engr. Bethel Iroabueke, said before the completion of the project, there were many dark spots, and businesses were shutting down due to lack of electricity and the high cost of purchasing fuel, but that is in the past now – all thanks to the Holy Father.

He said the project has drastically reduced carbon emissions, which is causing damage to the environment.

According to the Engineer, the project which is in its first phase, “covers immediate communities like Ambo, Ika Ika, Asikpo, and Sparkling FM axis. There’s a sister bank we own, it also covers it.

“We actually have phases. This is the first phase of this project. We are expected to have a second phase, which we are kicking off almost immediately after this.

“We are expecting this project to last – for the solar panels, we have a warranty period of 25 years from the company, Tangfeng Engineering. The batteries and the inverters have a warranty period of five years.

“This project is expected to be cutting about 75 per cent cost from grid and generator.”

On his part, Bishop Usene Etekpi Bassey, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Royal Microfinance Bank Limited, one of the beneficiaries of the project, disclosed that the solar project had solved a 50-year-long problem of epileptic power supply faced by the establishment.

According to him, “As a person, I have lived around this area for over
almost 50 years of my life, and I know that the light situation in this place is always very epileptic but since the introduction of this mega project, we have had uninterrupted light so far.”

Speaking further, he said, “The impact of green energy cannot be overemphasised. One, it stops you from purchasing diesel – and we know the cost of diesel, inflation
every day, taking away your purchasing power.

“With the green energy now, that has been taken care of. You don’t have to buy fuel again to service your energy. You rely 100% on solar, and it’s a very good development. Customers can now enjoy an uninterrupted banking system in and outside the banking hall.”

Converseer further reports that Bethel Bites Cafe, the first cafe of its kind, was also commissioned.

“We are not just serving drinks, we are serving light. It’s clean, it’s fun, and it’s made with love,” Sister Chika Iroagbueke, Cafe Manager, Bethel Bites, said.

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