Solar panels handed over to people in North Malaita rural communities

A total of 28 solar panels were handed over to the rural people of Malaita Province over the weekend by Willies Electrical and Solar Power Company.

Seven homes in Sewa Community at Malu'u station, 8 at the Faith Community in Sulagwalu and 13 homes in Aufasu community of Central Kwara'ae took delivery of solar panels under the company's Iumi Solar Home Systems program.

The community based program includes a solar panel package of 10 watts, a battery and two light bulbs to provide basic light for homes.

Under the program, community members pay two-thousand-two-hundred dollars each up front.

The remaining cost for each package is to be settled through the weekly sale of market produce.

Managing Director of Willies Company David Iro says the weekend hand-overs bring the total number of solar panels given to communities throughout the country to over 1,000.

Mr Iro says the Iumi Solar Home Systems program aims to reach another one thousand homes in the provinces next year.

Meanwhile, pregnant mothers of the North Malaita Region can now look forward to the comfort of having light at the Malu'u Clinic's Labour Ward, thanks to Willies Electrical and Solar Power Company.

The company Director announced their commitment to provide Solar lighting for the labour ward at the Clinic and for Malu'u Police Station, during the handing over of 7solar panels for Sewa Community at Malu'u Station last Friday.

Malu'u station has been without electricity for almost a year now, forcing nurses to attend to patients by lamp or torch light, and mothers at the labour ward have been no exception.

The head nurse for Malu'u Clinic Rose Liosulia says the commitment is good news for the clinic as it will meet one of it's needs to provide essential lighting which will in turn ensure that patients are looked after properly.

Malu'u, clinic's labour ward and the police station will be fitted with solar lighting next year.

Source: SIBC