Power outage: Ife-North residents shower encomiums on Oyetola, as govt releases funds to refurbish damaged facilities

…Oyetola has rekindled our dashed hope after 8 months of darkness — Apetumodu

Residents of Ife-North Local Government Area in Osun State who have been in total darkness for eight months took to the streets to shower encomiums on the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration as the State Government completes all the required processes to ensure immediate restoration of electricity to seven notable communities of the LGA.

The residents who trooped out en masse on Monday upon sighting government officials who had come to Moro, the site of electricity sub-station, to assess the damaged electricity facilities for immediate repair, commended government for its commitment to the people’s welfare and well-being.

This is even as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, said the gesture had rekindled the collective hope of the people of the areas who had been in darkness for about eight months.

The move to ensure the immediate restoration of the electricity was in compliance with the Governor’s directive to ensure immediate release of funds to refurbish the damaged electricity facilities.

Speaking, Apetumodu appreciated the state government for coming to their aid, saying the gesture would help to stimulate commercial activities in the areas.

In their remarks, Chief Agbekoya Akinsola; Mrs Oyedele Morenikeji and Mr. Rufus Olayiwola, extolled the government for the good gesture just as they assured the Governor of their votes and continued support and loyalty.

Addressing the journalists during the facility assessment tour to the 7.5MVA 33/11KV sub-station in Moro, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Amidu Tadese disclosed that the Governor had given an order to restore the electricity  having released the required funds needed to fix it.

Tadese, who sympathised with the residents of the affected communities, noted that the repair would be delivered in record time of five to six weeks as projected by the contractor.

“We are in Moro in Ife-North Local Government Area of Osun to assess the damaged electricity facilities provided by the government at Moro electricity distribution sub-station. As we all know,  the seven major communities of this council have been in total darkness in the last eight months.

“Sequel to this challenge, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola instructed the Ministry of finance to release the required funds to repair the damaged facilities as part of efforts to restore the electricity with immediately effect.

“This money has been released and paid into the account of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) that is going to ensure the restoration and management of the facilities.

“So, we are here to interact with the officials of the company that is going to handle the project in order to look at what they want to do and the duration that it will require for the delivery of the project.

“From the interaction, we have been assured that the company is going to do a better job and we are going to enjoy better service after the intervention.

“We appeal to the people of the council to remain steadfast and supportive to the Administration of Governor Oyetola. This is not the first time the government will be coming to their aid. Just last year, we were here to  inaugurate a road project that had been abandoned in a deplorable condition for years,” he added.

Also, the member Osun House of Assembly representing Ife-North state constituency, Hon. Tunde Olatunji, lauded Governor Oyetola, for taking the welfare of his constituents as priority.

Olatunji who described Governor Oyetola as God’s sent to the State, particularly his constituents, noted that when the electricity is fixed, the socioeconomic activities will begin to pick and bounce back.

He acknowledged the monumental achievements the Administration has made across sectors, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, education and security.

“As the representative of the people, I feel so elated because 8 months of darkness has finally come to an end. I must commend our dear Governor for his commitment for the welfare of my people in particular and the general well-being of the residents of the State.

“If you look at what experience has been since our people have been in darkness, you cannot but appreciate this intervention.

“I remember that I needed to make it a matter of public importance in the House of Assembly, but eventually we resolved that government had to come to our aid because of the cost implication as IBDEC had admitted that the problem was not what they could afford at that material point in time. This made the government to come to the aid of our people. That is the hallmark of responsible and responsive government.

“So, I am happy that the State Government under the able leadership of Governor Oyetola has made available the needed funds.

“As you can see, the contractor and IBEDC engineers are here to assess the facility in order to commence the necessary repair.

“From what the engineers have told us, the project will be delivered within five to six weeks.

“The beauty of this is that the government is not interfacing with the contractor. What we have done is to make fund available for the IBEDC who is expected to handle the project and ensure that a good job is carried out.

“I have no doubt that within the space of time mentioned by the contractor, this project will be delivered since the fund has been 100 percent paid.

“This is a great thing in the history of these areas because of its multiplier effect on the socioeconomic activities of the people. I am happy that a responsible government is doing this and I am equally happy that I am instrumental to this. This has once again justified our support for the Governor and his government.

“No doubt, the state government is alive to its responsibilities. It takes the welfare of the people as topmost priority. So, there is no reason not to support him and I can say with all sense of modesty and responsibility that we have never had it so good like this in the history of our constituency. No government, be it state or federal, has done as good as what the present Administration has done for us.

“Just a few months ago, a road project worth a billion naira was inaugurated. So also the great intervention made on education as about 10 schools have been either constructed or rehabilitated. By tomorrow, massive waterways will commence across the towns and villages of this constituency.

“We are really so privileged and blessed to have a government like this that is passionate about our welfare. The only thing we need to do is to continue to support the government,” Hon. Olatunji added.