…Project at 99% completion stage

By Adekola Afolabi

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Hope rises for the restoration of electricity to the southern senatorial district of Ondo state as pre- commissioning testing of the project would commence next week.

The state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, disclosed this on Tuesday in company of members on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). They were at the site to inspect the 132KV/33KV the Substation being constructed by NDDC at Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government area of the State.

They were led by the Executive Director (Projects), Charles Ogunmola.

During the inspection, Ogunmola revealed that the power project which has reached 99 per cent completion would be commissioned before the end of this quarter.

He said the multi-billion naira power project when commissioned would light up the various communities in the South.

He promised to continue partnering with the state government and relevant stakeholders to complete the last leg which is to energise the power station and take electricity to the affected communities.

According to him, no stone would be left unturned to ensure power supply and put an end to years of power outage in the district.

Obe appreciated the NDDC and the contractor handling the power project for a job well done and efforts aimed at restoring electricity to the affected communities.

He said the State government is spending huge sum of money to ensure the people in the oil producing communities are connected to the national grid as soon as possible.

Obe added that government has the resources including finance and technical expertise to address other areas which may need urgent attention after completion of the project, adding that it will not rest until power is restored and various communities in the district are energized.

The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done as well as the level of completion of the facility, adding that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is in a hurry to see power restored to the affected communities.

He called on relevant stakeholders including the people and leaders in Erinje and neighbouring communities to protect the facility against vandals so that the project can serve its purpose.

Earlier, the contractor handling the project, Benson Obayemi, had hinted that the project was 99 per cent completed.