Two Chinese construction firms, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and CGCOC Group Co., Ltd., have launched the “Light Up Abuja” project, a flagship infrastructure initiative of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The project involves comprehensive installations of advanced hybrid solar streetlights across the city, expected to enhance security and urban development. The launch ceremony was attended by government officials and residents, marking a significant milestone in the development of Abuja’s infrastructure.
The project is divided into two main parts, with CCECC and CGCOC responsible for delivering integrated solar lighting systems across major districts and expressways in the FCTA. FCTA Minister Nyesom Wike highlighted the project’s importance in improving residents’ quality of life and safety, noting that conventional streetlights had become largely dysfunctional due to vandalism and poor maintenance. The new hybrid solar systems are equipped with built-in resilience and advanced features, including surveillance modules that will connect to a centralized control room, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response to vandalism and other security threats.
The project is expected to be completed within six to seven months, transforming Abuja’s nighttime landscape ahead of the city’s 50th anniversary in 2026. Under the agreement, the two Chinese firms will not only install but also maintain the solar lighting systems for four to five years. Guan Shuai, managing director of CCECC in Nigeria, said, “This project actually captures all the major areas of Abuja. As we all know, light is essential to our lives and livelihood. In this work, what we will deliver to Nigerians is not only the streetlight, but we will also proffer solutions to power supply and lighting problems, using solar energy.
Image Courtesy: en.people.cn
