The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), implemented by UNDP, on Tuesday inaugurated a solar-powered cold room in Sagbokoji, Lagos, to improve fish preservation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagbokoji is a riverine community in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, opposite Tin-Can Island.
The GEF-SGP UNDP Programme Assistant, Mrs Rose Agbo, said the project upgraded the solar energy infrastructure earlier installed in the community by adding a three-horsepower solar-powered cooling system.
Agbo said the intervention followed requests from women fish processors, who complained that the existing freezers could no longer meet growing demand.
According to her, the cold room now runs entirely on solar energy, supported by battery storage and inverter systems, enabling beneficiaries to preserve larger quantities of fish.
She added that GEF-SGP currently supports more than 200 community-based environmental and livelihood projects across over 30 states in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF), Dr Daniel Adeuyi, said the project reflected the forum’s commitment to translating discussions on clean energy into practical interventions.
According to him, the upgraded facility will strengthen the community’s cold chain, reduce post-harvest losses and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Adeuyi called for stronger collaboration among communities, development partners and project developers to ensure the sustainability of similar initiatives.
Also speaking, Co-Chair of the NEF and former President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), Mr Adekunle Makinde, expressed satisfaction with the community’s positive response to the project.
Makinde said the beneficiaries demonstrated that the facility was functioning effectively and pledged to use it responsibly for the benefit of the association.
The President of NIEEE, Mr Felix Adeboye, urged organisations, philanthropists and development partners to replicate similar interventions in other underserved communities.
Adeboye commended the Sagbokoji community for embracing the project, noting that some communities had previously rejected similar initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the leader of the Fish Sellers Association, Mrs Jiselle Azankpo, expressed appreciation to GEF-SGP and its partners for expanding the facility.
Azankpo said the upgraded cold room had been tested and was operating efficiently, assuring that the association would ensure its proper maintenance.
NAN reports that GEF-SGP installed the initial solar-powered cold room in the community in 2024 to replace traditional fish preservation methods that relied on charcoal and firewood.
