By Hakeem Ajayi.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has flagged off the construction of work on 132/33 KV power substations in Ijesa Isu Ekiti and Ilupeju Ekiti raising hope of stable power supply for the two communities and other towns in the state.
The Governor who expressed delight that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in 2020 which resulted in commencement of work said the project was borne out of the collaboration of his administration with the Federal Government to solve the problem of epileptic power supply in the state.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, the described the project as another step towards making life more comfortable as part of the administration’s obligations.
Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, represented by the TCN Managing Director/Chief Executive,Dr SuleAbdulaziz, commended the Fayemi administration for its commitment to the realization of the project and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to boost power supply to more communities in Ekiti State and stimulate social and economic development.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, interest groups, indigenes and residents of the communities expected to benefit from the projects when completed lauded both the federal and Ekiti State governments for investing in the project to boost their social and economic lives.
The project also incorporates the construction of Ikere (Ado Ekiti)-Ijesa Isu-Ilupeju 50 Kilometer 133 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line to widen access to regular and reliable public power supply when completed.
Governor Fayemi urged the contractor to ensure the construction of quality project as the people of the state are interested in early completion without compromising standards,adding that his administration is committed to the ongoing work on the Independent Power Project (IPP) aimed at boosting power supply to government offices and facilities in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to generate additional 5 megawatts.
He listed some of the obligations fulfilled by his administration before the project could take off to include survey of the proposed line route, gazette of the line, issuance of the title documents for the land allocation of the substations, acquisition of the right of way, route topography survey, environmental impact assessment and ongoing construction of fence of the project sites.
According to him, the event is to further rekindle the hope of the people, that both the federal and state governments are committed to improving the standard of living and welfare of the people. “As a government, we are also committed to the implementation of the Independent Power Project (IPP) which is aimed at generating 5 megawatts for use of government offices and facilities.
Ekiti State Supervising Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, noted that the project, when completed, would complement plans of the state government to improve the quality of energy supply to all the 16 local government areas and 19 local councils.
He explained that the need to improve the availability of electricity from the national grid has necessitated the partnership with Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to construct 132 KV double-circuit transmission lines from Ikere switching station and two associated substations at Ijesa Isu and Ilupeju.
The Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, appreciated governor Fayemi and the Federal Government for collaborating to bring the project to the state.
Oba Adejuwon who was represented by the Alaaye of Oke Ayedun, Oba Olufemi Aribisala, noted that energy supply has become a big issue in the country and welcomed commencement of work on the project.
Those that attended the event include former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Paul Alabi; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu; House Leader of Business, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan; Chairman, Ikole Local Government, Hon. Sola Olominu; Chairman, Ikole West LCDA, Hon. Kayode Ogunsakin; Chairman, Ifeloju LCDA, Hon. Babatunde Ogunmilugba; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, among others.