By Chris Chimezie
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Determined to end many years of life in darkness by residents of the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State, the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, (SAN), has inaugurated a three-layer power supply strategy to lighten the entire region.

The power initiatives which include; stand alone Solar Systems under the Small Home Power Utility (SHoPU), Mini-Grid Power Plant  through Hybrid Reciprocating Gas Engine and Independent Power Plant (IPP) with collaboration with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the initiative was well-thought-out by his administration to provide uninterrupted power supply to all communities in the district.

In Aboto, Ilaje Local Government Area of the Ondo State, Arakunrin Akeredolu switched-on the Solar Power Systems provided to all houses in the community with a passionate plea to them to protect the facility and ensure that they put it into maximum use to meet their power needs.

Describing the Solar Power initiative as a necessity needed to put immediate end to almost 10 years of darkness in communities across Ondo South Senatorial District, Governor Akeredolu said residents of the area should manage the Solar Power source pending the time the completion of the electrification project that would supply uninterrupted power supply to the district.

He said his administration was resolutely determined to make life worth living for the people through the delivery of life-changing projects that will bring the desired development to the area in particular and the state in general.

Reacting to the development, the Alaboto-elect of Oboto, Prince Oyetayo Ofoaye applauded Governor Akeredolu on his untiring efforts at ensuring that power supply to every home in the various communities in Ondo South was restored.

He assured that the Solar Panels would be protected from being stolen, adding that henceforth, following the steps taken so far by the present administration towards restoring power to the region, youths of the community would henceforth desist from any form of protest that could jeopardize the speedy completion of the power project.

Also in Igbobini, a community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was at the Palace of Olu of Igbonini, Oba Raphael Oyedele to commission the Solar Power Supply project in the community.

The highly elated monarch appreciated the State Government for the creative provision of the alternative power which essentially signaled end to darkness in the community.

Arakunrin Akeredolu however, stated that the Solar Panel Systems  would serve as a back-up for the communities, when the electrification project that would connect the region to the National Grid is completed soon.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Utilities, Mr Tunji Light Ariyomo whose office handled the project stressed that the Solar Power Plant was one of the bold steps being undertaken by the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-administration to address power problem in the area.

Ariyomo applauded the Governor’s bold move targeted at declaring emergency on the blackout in the Ondo Southern District which had crippled business activities in the region.

Ariyomo hinted that the state government, through the Solar panel intervention, has covered over 60 per cent of houses in Igbobini with Stand Alone Solar systems under the state’s Small Home Power Utility (SHoPU) scheme.

The Special Adviser noted that besides Igbobini, work is currently ongoing at Aboto in Ilaje local government area, where over 70  per cent of houses in Aboto now enjoy light.

He further hinted that the State Government would comence work on Ebute-Ipare before the end of this week, adding that soon, Igbokoda will be having a dedicated hybrid reciprocating gas engine, which will operate as a mini-grid power plant while a dedicated IPP is coming to OSUSTEC to power the university and certain parts of Okitipupa.

Ariyomo explained that the project when completed, Ondo south region will be the first to enjoy uninterrupted power supply in the state, adding that the Stand Alone Solar System was being deployed as immediate palliatives in those communities.

Some members of  State Executive  Council on the entourage of the governor include: Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Hon Ifedayo Abegunde; State Commissioner for Education, Pastor Femi Agagu and State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan.

Others are; Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Funso Esan; Special Adviser to Governor on Education , Dr Olawunmi Ilawole and other top officials of the State Government.