Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has disclosed that plans are ongoing to ensure that the state generates electricity for its own use.
Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off of the construction of the Obokun 33kv Feeder Line from Osunjela to Ilesa at the Ilesa-West Local Government Secretariat in Ilesa, he revealed that the state has a draft electricity bill and policy that would expand power generation and distribution.
He expressed delight that the feeder line project, which had been abandoned for eleven years, has been revived and relocated to ease the challenges faced by the four local government areas it is expected to serve.
His words: “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’s electricity space. Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity.
We will issue licenses to 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.
“We are acting fast on the energy space because power supply is the 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.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Energy in the state, Festus Adeyemo, stated that the feeder line project was first awarded on January 25, 2013, with 30% funding released to the contractor, but it was 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 project is very significant for the people of Obokun and three other local governments. The Obokun 33KV Feeder Line, when completed, will supply 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.
