After 15 years of blackout in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State, the Federal Government through Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday inaugurated 132kv transmission line and 132kv/33kv substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Basically, communities in four councils of the district comprising Okitipupa, Ilaje, Irele, and Ese-Odo have been without electricity for between 10 and 15 years over alleged indebtedness to Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
However, speaking while commissioning the N8 billion worth project, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister, of Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh said the commissioning of the power project is part of the effort of the FG to ensure sustainable development in Niger Delta region.
According to him, the present administration had determined the provision of sufficient power to stimulate the economic of the country especially for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
His words: “We all know that the power supply for human activity is crucial to enhance socioeconomic development, increase income to family, create Jobs opportunity and bring people out of poverty.
“Therefore, the 132kv transmission line has capacity to generate uninterrupted efficient power transmission as bridge power gap and serve people of Okitipupa and his environs which was throw into darkness for the pass 15 years. As result of the commissioning, the scenario will now change to reactivate businesses for the success of our men and women.
“Now that government has done her part and fulfilled his promise it’s the turn and responsibility of the communities to fulfill their part by continue to protect this project against vandalism,” he said.
Also, the Managing Director/ Cheif Executive Officer(CEO), NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, while speaking at the inauguration said that project would provide electricity for over 2,000 communities in the Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and EseOdo Local Government Area of Ondo Southern Senatorial District.
Ogbuku said that the aim of the project is to serve urgent needs and to link Ondo South to the national grid after 15 years without light in the areas.
He said that the project is expected to complement FG’s effort in the power sector by improving power supply to Okitipupa, igbokoda and other neighbouring communities in Ondo South.
According to him, the project will improve direct value chain in small and medium scale industries , job creation and consequently engender growth and development in Ondo State.
“Our task remains to bridge the infrastructural gaps which have existed for too long, create the enabling environment for improved economic activities in the communities and across the Niger Delta,”he said.
The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa applauded president Bola Tinubu for his gesture to restore electricity power to the district, noting that the project symbolizes commitment to the progress and development of the people of southern senatorial districts.
The governor, therefore, promised state government’s intervention to protect the project for the benefit of the state at large.
Earlier, the Orungberuwa of Ode-Erinje, Oba Fredrick Oladele, appreciated the president Tinubu for the his renewed hope agenda to bring light back to the communities.
“This is a commendable gesture. The light went off on Nov. 3,2013 making it 10 years and seven months that is 3,854 days 92,496 hours without electricity in Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and EseOdo Local Government. Let me assure you , we see this project as ours, do all we can to protect it,” he said.
Fidelis David in Akure
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