ONDO SOUTH ELECTRICITY RESTORATION: OYEDELE EDUCATES CRITICS.
Dear Mr. Adekanmbi,
I read what you wrote about restoration of power supply to South Senatorial District that have been in darkness for about 10 years. It would have been so laughable if it is not so tragic in your attempt to take advantage of the misery of our people.
Please note that the entire distribution network to Ilaje L.G. Area, Okitipupa L.G. Area including Ode Aye have been fully reticulated under my watch as Executive Director (Engineering & Technical Services) in Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd.
The contract for the line going from Okitipupa through Ikoya, Iju-Odo, Ilutitun, up to Igbotako was recently completed and it is awaiting certification from NEMSA.
A 7.5MVA Substation has been completed in Ajagba while the network around Ese-Odo L.G. have also been completed and certified by NEMSA.
It is trite to state that by the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act. it is only Benin Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (Benin DISCO) to which the entire Distribution Networks in Edo State, Ekiti State, Delta State and Ondo State were sold that has the exclusive authority to operate the distribution networks. Benin DISCO is now metering the consumers in these areas and some of the consumers have started to enjoy power supply from the National Grid.
You may wish to know that I am presently facilitating the direct supply of power from NDPHC Omotosho Power Plant to these Local Governments areas under the Eligible Customer/Willing-Buyer Willing-Seller Declaration. This will guarantee 24/7 power supply directly to the areas. This arrangement has reached advanced stages and will soon receive the approval of NERC. It is a novel model in that these Local Governments will be the first to benefit from the introduction of the Eligible Customer declaration in Nigeria.
Apart from the above I have also facilitated the contract for installation of Solar powered generators in Okitipupa General Hospital, Primary Health Centres in Ilaje and and several other essential facilities in Ilaje and Okitipupa Local Government areas. The equipment imported for these project have just been cleared from the Port and it is presently being assembled for installation.
I am eternally grateful to H. E. President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON who sympathised with the plight of our people in Ondo South Senatorial District and gave full approval to execute this projects. I am also grateful to my colleagues in NDPHC especailly the Managing Director, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo and the Executive Director (Finance & Asministration) Mallam Babayo Shehu for supporting one of their own to to achieve this milestone.
Please note that the Ondo State Government led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was fully briefed before the commencement of these projects. In fact I encouraged and virtually dragged the Governor to accompany us to the Stakeholders meetings organised by NDPHC in Igbokoda and Okitipupa before the project was flagged off. The meetings were attended by all prominent Traditional Rulers, Religious and Community Leaders and many citizens of the affected Local Government areas. The video and other print reports of the meeting held in the Governor’s Office is in the public domain. I can avail you with them so you can watch the Governor shower praises on me for my efforts at the events.
The issue of restoration of power supply to the deprived people of the 5 Local Government areas after 12 years is beyond politics. It is about the livelihood of a people, it is about the economic prosperity. This is why I have restrained from making political mileage out of the misery of my people. It is worrisome that you and your folks have been trying to make this a political issue. I am committed to the welfare of my people without wanting to gain from their misery. You may want to dig into my pedigree to know the contributions of my late father Chief Matthew Olakunle Oyedele, M.B.E to the development of Ikale land and the building of Ondo State Civil Service. I am privileged and highly honoured to follow in his footsteps.
I hope you are satisfied with the above explanation.
With compliments of my esteemed regards,
Sincerely yours,
Ifeoluwa Oyedele