Alternative sources of power supply:

UB trains council workers on renewable energy

By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

Trainnees pose with Dr. Nalova Lyonga

Twenty-one (21) trainees from some 16 councils of the South West Region have received end-of-course certificates in Sustainable Renewable Energy Systems from the University of Buea. The certificates were issued last Thursday, April 21, 2016 in the boardroom of the Faculty of Education, University of Buea after six months of training.

                The trainees from the Bamousso, Bangem, Diloume, Ekondo-Titi, Edabato, Koumbo-Etindi, Kumba I, Kumba II, Mbonge, Muyauka, Nguti, Essangele, Tinto, Toko, Wabane and the Buea Councils were challenged by UB’s Vice Chancellor to use the Knowledge gained to keep their various councils well equipped for effective transformation. Dr. Nalova Lyonga also urged the council workers to break the legacy of begging, spoiling and begging again from the government; while insisting that “a country that is not training engineers is lost”.

                Within the framework of the partnership for renewable energy between the University of Buea and the mayors of the South West Region, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology drew up a road map for the construction of sustainable renewable energy systems in various localities of the region’s six divisions.

                Going by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the University of Buea, Prof. Emmanuel Tanyi, three of the four main sign posts designed last March 2015 have been completed. The first was to carryout feasibility studies for the construction of solar, wind and hydro-electric systems in various localities of the South West Region. The second sign post aimed at designing three solar energy prototypes corresponding to different village sizes and populations between 200, 500, 1000 people. Third of the four was to train personnel of the local councils in the installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems; referred to by UB’s Vice Chancellor as “The Green Energy Effort”. The last of the sign posts is reserved for the construction of the renewable energy systems; which will commence soonest in the various 16 councils.

                Upon completion therefore, the Green Energy Effort, or Sustainable Renewable Energy Systems project between the University of Buea and the councils of the South West Region will go a long way to solve the limping and epileptic electricity supply in the region; while extending the constant flow of this energy to the roots of the region.

                Mr. Ewane Amos Nane of the Bangem council was overall best. He was followed by Ngwaye Ngou David of the Buea Council and Tabot Francis Ojong of the Muyuka Council. Their respective councils have thus been categorized as the best councils in the South West Region; especially the Buea Council that sent the highest number of trainees (3).

                The certificate award ceremony took place in the presence of the representative of the South West Association of Councils, and the Deputy Vice Chancellors of UB.