Era of darkness has come to end in Osun —Gov. Adeleke
…Flags off construction of 33KV feeder line 11 yrs abandoned project
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday flagged off the construction of the 33KV Feeder Line to improve electricity supply in four local governments in the state.
Speaking at the flag-off held at the Ilesa West local Government Secretariant, he expressed delight to launch the construction of another abandoned project for the benefit of the people.
According to Adelek, “I was told this project was abandoned for the past 11 years. In that period, our people of Obokun and adjacent areas suffered untold hardship, blackout and economic loss. From today, that era of darkness has come to an end. Light has come and darkness has vanished.”
Adeleke said that his administration has a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.
The governor charged the contractor and his team to deliver the project on schedule to bring economic light to the people of Osun state.
He said, “I am delighted to once again launch the construction of another abandoned project for the benefit of our people. Our gathering today is a reaffirmation of our policy of easing life challenges and strengthening the economic and well being of our people.
“As a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our focus to bring economic light to the people of Osun state. We have a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation. I am therefore elated to repeat that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will.expand power generation and distribution.
“The policy and the bill when finally passed into law will change the face of Osun electricity space. Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity.
“We will issue licenses for those capable of generating electricity. We will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan disco. We will manage the relationship between power generators and purchasers. The new plan will create a regulatory agency for the state power sector.
“I commend the Ministry of Energy for doing a good job on the making of the policy and the proposed legislation. We must follow up to ensure that early passage.
“Ahead of the passage, I am further directing the Ministry to develop an implementation plan with timelines and deliverables. Stakeholders must be fully involved in the process for sustainable outcome.
“We are acting fast on the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth. Regular power supply boosts economic activities. Our vision is that Osun state will be self-sufficient in power supply and also export to neighboring states.
“Today I congratulate the good people of Obokun Local Government and all the communities that will benefit from the new 33KV Feeder Line. Specifically, let me reach out to the people of Omi Aladiye, Akad, settlements along Ilesa – Osogbo road, Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government as well as Kajola and Osunjela in Atakumosa West Local Government. Imole has come to your doorsteps.”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Energy, Festus Adeyemo, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his prompt action in approving the completion of the project, which was abandoned for 11 years due to non-funding and lack of interest by successive administrations.
Adeyemo noted that the project is critical to the economy and social life of the people in the affected areas, who have been experiencing total blackouts due to the dilapidated feeder line.
He said, “This project was first awarded on 25th January, 2013 with 30 percent funding released to the Contractor. It was, however, later abandoned due to non- funding and lack of interest by successive administrations despite the danger it posed to the lives and properties of the dwellers along the route of the Distribution Network.
“Eleven years later when the yearning of the four Communities affected, got to Mr. Governor through a letter written to the Ministry of Energy by the Honourable member representing Obokun State Constituency and as a Governor who detests abandoned projects, our dear Governor approved the completion of the project without any further delay.
“The state government under Governor Adeleke was deeply alarmed by the total blackouts being experienced in Obokun Local Government as a result of the dilapidated 33KV feeder line that supplies electricity to the Community/Towns in Obokun Local Government from Ilesa. The Ministry of Energy appreciates the prompt action of Mr. Governor to ensure the completion of the project.
“The project is very significant for the people of Obokun and other three local governments. The Obokun 33KV Feeder Line, when completed, will be supplying electricity to four Local Governments namely; part of Ilesa West (Omi Aladiye, Akad) and other neighboring Communities along Ilesa Osogbo road, 95% of Towns in Obokun Local Government, Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government as well as Kajola and Osunjela in Atakumosa West Local Government,” he added.
