By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced that his administration has put in place measures and plans to generate electricity for the state.

The governor made this known on Thursday while flagging off the Obokun 33kV Feeder Line from Osunjela to Ilesa-West Local Government Secretariat in Ilesa.

Adeleke stated that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy, which would expand power generation and distribution. He added that these frameworks, when finally passed into law, would transform Osun’s electricity sector.

The governor expressed delight that the feeder line project, which had been abandoned for eleven years by previous administrations, has now been completed and relocated to alleviate the challenges faced by the four local government areas it is intended to serve.

Reiterating his commitment to making Osun a hub for electricity generation and distribution, Adeleke said, “As a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our priority to bring economic light to the people of Osun State.

“We have a robust plan to transform the state’s energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation. I am therefore pleased to reiterate that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution.

“The policy and bill, when finally passed into law, will change the face of Osun’s electricity sector. 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’s power sector.

“I commend the Ministry of Energy for doing a good job in developing the policy and proposed legislation. We must follow up to ensure its early passage.

“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 quickly in the energy sector because power supply is the engine room of economic growth. Regular power supply boosts economic activities. Our vision is for Osun State to be self-sufficient in power supply and to export to neighbouring 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 25th January 2013, with 30% of funding released to the contractor. However, “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 those living along the route of the distribution network.”

“Eleven years later, when the pleas of the four affected communities reached 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 further delay.

“The state government, under Governor Adeleke, was deeply concerned by the total blackouts being experienced in Obokun Local Government due to the dilapidated 33kV feeder line that supplies electricity to the communities in Obokun Local Government from Ilesa. The Ministry of Energy appreciates the prompt action of Mr. Governor in ensuring the completion of the project.

“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: part of Ilesa West (Omi Aladiye, Akad) and other neighbouring communities along the 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.