Osun State Governor of Adegboyega Oyetola on Tuesday flagged off the construction of a 33KV power supply line from Ile-Ife to Garage-Olode (Awolowo Town) and Ifetedo/Garage Olode 33KV power supply.
The power project intervention is coming after 10 years of power outage in the affected areas.
The power intervention efforts will also help to power towns and villages such as Iyanfoworogi, Aye Coker, Aye-Oba, Wanikin Eleja, Egbejoda, Idi Obi and Ali Ahanran in this first phase, and when completed, the project will cover the entire Ife South Local Government and the LCDA.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Garage-Olode, Ife-South local government area, Governor Oyetola said the project occupied a strategic place in his administration’s agenda to empower the benefiting communities to contribute substantially to the development of the State.
He said his government has been working closely with Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to ensure quick and prompt delivery of the project.
“As I promised during my electoral campaign and the ‘Thank you Tour,” I am irrevocably committed to uplifting the socioeconomic life of our citizens,” Oyetola said.
“This is what we have illustrated through the execution of this important project, focusing on the extension of the 33KV power supply line from Ajebandele Ile-Ife to Garage-Olode (Awolowo town) and by extension, Ifetedo.
“It will also power towns and villages such as Iyanfoworogi, Aye Coker, Aye-Oba, Wanikin Eleja, Egbejoda, Idi Obi and Ali Ahanran in this first phase. When completed, the project will cover the entire Ife South Local Government and the LCDA.
“As you know, our engineers have commenced erection of electric poles concurrently from both Olode and Ifetedo areas.
“Ifetedo currently experiences epileptic electricity supply. We therefore envisage that there might be problems in the future, hence, we want to link Ifetedo to the line under construction.
“Part of the reason this project has been delayed up till now is because we have been seeking a permanent solution rather than a palliative. We know our people only deserve the best and our community cannot continue to play second fiddle to any other town.
“The old electricity supply approach under the Benin Electricity Company meant that the Olode community and environs were not prioritised in the distribution of electricity, as power had to be supplied to Ondo, Ile Oluji, Oke Ogbo before reaching Ifetedo.
“The implication of this is that the megawatt remaining was barely sufficient for our people. The result of our dealing with this matter very frontally and in the interest of our people is what has culminated into today’s event.”
Governor Oyetola who applauded the people of the areas for their unflinching support before, during and after his emergence as governor, said, “I must assure you all that our Administration will never forget your kind gesture towards us, especially during the last election.”
Oyetola who identified some of the projects executed in the areas, said his Administration, under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation & Hygiene (PEWASH) programme, had earlier facilitated the sinking of 11 new Solar Powered Boreholes and 5 new Hand pump Boreholes.
