August 29, (THEWILL) – Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has launched the rehabilitation of the Obokun 33KV Feeder Line abandoned for the past 11 years by previous administrations in the state.
The project, which was awarded in 2013 to service towns and villages across four local governments of Osun East, was abandoned by successive governments, leaving the affected town in darkness and economic paralysis.
Governor Adeleke, accompanied by Ijesha PDP leaders and dignitaries led by Hon. Sunday Bisi and Hon. Ibukun Fadipe, said the revival of the project “is a reaffirmation of our policy of easing life challenges and strengthening the economic and well-being of our people.
“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.
“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 doorstep.”
Adeleke said his administration focused on bringing economic light to the people of Osun state, stressing that there is a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.
While affirming that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution, the Governor assured that “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 licences 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.
“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 a sustainable outcome.
“We are acting fast in 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 neighbouring states.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Festus Adeyemo, said Governor Adeleke was deeply alarmed by the total blackouts being experienced in Obokun Local Government Area as a result of the dilapidated 33KV feeder line that supplies electricity to the communities/towns in the LGA from Ilesa.
“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 government namely: part of Ilesa West (Omi Aladiye, Akad) and other neighbouring 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,” the Commissioner said.
While describing the Governor as Mr Infrastructure, the Commissioner reassured the people that the directive on the Osun Electricity Bill and policy has been complied with, adding that “Osun now has a draft electricity market bill that is being processed for the attention of the State Assembly.
“Your Excellency, Osun has never had any policy and legal framework for the energy sector until your assumption of office. The electricity bill conforms with best practices and stands as a great addition to your Excellency’s achievements.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
