From Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has restored electricity to some streets in Okitipupa town after 15 years of blackout in Ondo South Senatorial District.

Residents of Akinloye Estate and City Space, besides Gospel Church in Okitipupa town, confirmed the development.

On Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned a 132KV transmission line and 132KV/33KV substation in Ode Erinje, Okitipupa after 15 years of blackout in Ondo South Senatorial District. The Ode Erinje Power Substation, which draws its electricity from the Omotosho Power Plant, is designed to illuminate over 2,000 communities spanning five local government areas in the senatorial district.

It was gathered that the distribution of electricity would only be released to places where repairs of electrical damages have been completed by the BEDC. It was also learned that electricity is likely to be restored to Ode Aye Community too anytime soon in the areas without electric damages.

The BEDC is also expected to resume repairs of electric damages within the towns of the affected four local governments as the supply of power is being released in batches to communities or streets of the affected communities without damage.

Some residents who spoke with our correspondent appreciated both the state and Federal governments for the success of the Erinje power station in Okitipupa LG. They also appealed to the BEDC to hasten the repairing and replacing of damaged cables and transformers in the streets of the affected four LGs.

Mr. Isaiah Ayeloge, a businessman, thanked God for the Erinje power station which has given them hope in restoring electricity to Ondo South.

“I believe our business and economy will boost more as power is being restored to Okitipupa and Ondo South in general.”

“We appeal to BEDC to replace damaged electric materials as the residents are also ready to support wherever the need comes,” Ayeloge appealed.

According to a community leader, Mr. Ladi Okunniga, power has three phases, “generation, transmission, and distribution”.

“As it stands now, we have reached the final stage, which is power distribution.”

The next phase after commissioning is the distribution to various transformers across Okitipupa, Ilaje, Irele, and Ese-Odo Local Governments. The distribution has already begun,” he explained.