The Federal Government on Wednesday, inaugurated a 132 Kv transmission line and 132kv/33kv substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Speaking during the inauguration of the project, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the project is part of his testament to the renewed hope agenda towards transforming the power sector in the country.
Tinubu who was represented by Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh said that the commissioning of the power project was also part of the effort of the FG to ensure sustainable development in Niger Delta region.
He said the present administration in the country is determined to transform the power sector in the pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure for a better Nigeria.
He noted that the provision of sufficient power would help to stimulate the economy of the country, especially for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
He said “We all know that the power supply for human activity is crucial to enhance socioeconomic development, increase income to family, create job opportunities and bring people out of poverty.
“Therefore, the 132kv transmission line has the capacity to generate uninterrupted efficient power transmission to bridge power gap and serve the people of Okitipupa and his environs which were thrown 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 the government has done her part and fulfilled his promise it’s the turn and responsibility of the communities to fulfil their part by continue to protect this project against vandalism,” he said.
The new power project will cover four of the six local government area of the South Senatorial District of Ondo State including Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and EseOdo.
Speaking, the Managing Director/ Cheif Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, explained that the project would provide electricity for over 2,000 communities in the four local government of Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and Ese Odo council.
According to him, the new project would link some communities in the area who have been without power supply for over 15 years saying this will also improve the economic activities in the area.
Ogbuku said that the project aimed at complementing the FG’s effort in the power sector by improving power supply to Okitipupa, Igbokoda and other neighbouring communities in Ondo South Senatorial District.
He said the project will improve direct value chain in small and medium-scale industries, job creation and consequently engender growth and development in Ondo State.
He said “Our task remains to bridge the infrastructural gaps which have existed for far too long create the enabling environment for improved economic activities in the communities and across the Niger Delta,”
While speaking, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended President Tinubu over his gesture to restore electricity power to five local government area of southern senatorial districts of the state after 15 years.
Aiyedatiwa said the project symbolize commitment to the progress and development of the people of southern senatorial districts.
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The governor, however, assured of his administration’s intervention to protect the project for the benefit of the state at large.
The Project Contractor, Benson Obayelu, explained that the project was rewarded to his company in 2012, but said the project was delayed due to falling in country currency.
Obayelu said that the light was evacuated from Omotosho Power Plant to Ernje in Okitipupa, saying it would improve and change the economic narrative of the communities.
“Despite the bottleneck, the project was completed and the light has been on since October 2023 up till now.
“So, what we evacuated from Omotosho is 132kv and step down with the mighty transformer 2 by 30/40 MVA transformer and stepdown to 33kv which is going to communities,” he said.
Oba Fredrick Oladele, Orungberuwa of Ode-Erinje appreciated the President Tinubu for the his renewed hope agenda to bring light back to the communities
The monarch appealed to the distribution and generating company to play their part, saying “from the people account the light went off on Nov. 3 ,2013 making it ten years and seven months that is 3,854 days 92,496 hours without electricity in Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government.
“But let me assure you, we see this project as ours, do all we can to protect it,”
