As part of the Niger Delta development commission, NDDC, mandate to provide infrastructure and development projects in Niger Delta region, the commission said it’s fully committed to fulfilling this mandate by completing all on-going projects; assuring that the power sub-station would provide electricity to over 2,000 communities across five local government areas within the oil-producing region of Ondo State.
Confirming the completion and connection of the 132/33kv electricity sub-station the commission built at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State to the national grid during an inspection of the project, the NDDC’s Executive Director,Projects, Sir Victor Antai, noted that the power station as a legacy project that would boost economic activities and improve the living standards of the benefitting communities in Ondo State.
He maintained that the NDDC was committed to providing electricity to oil-producing communities in Ondo South Senatorial District that had been without electricity for the past 15 years, stating that the sub-station would be inaugurated this month.
Speaking further, the Executive Director, Projects revealed that the commission had awarded a contract for the total rehabilitation of the distribution network because it was eager to hook up the power lines to the injection sub-station and enable the benefiting communities to enjoy electricity from the national grid.
“We are committed to lighting up all the local government areas and the oil-producing communities in Ondo South Senatorial District.
“This is part of NDDC’s mandate to provide infrastructure and development projects in the Niger Delta region. The Commission is committed to fulfilling this mandate by completing all on-going projects.
“The power sub-station is a legacy project which is in line with the directive of our Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to see to the completion and commissioning of legacy projects that will make meaningful impact on the lives of our people.
“The MD/CEO has also directed that we replicate this legacy project across all states in the Niger Delta and we thank the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the NDDC a performing Governing Board that has the interest of the people at heart”, Sir Antai stated.
In his own view, the project, Engr. Benson Obayelu, who stood for the contracting firm, hinted that the scope of the power project covers the evacuation of light from Omotosho with a step down at Ireje through a 132KV double circuit line with two 30/40MVA transformers at Okitipupa; while observing that the five local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district of Ondo State that have been without public power supply would be connected when the project was completed.
In his words, “the transmission lines run through Ireje with 145 electricity towers that are standing on concrete foundations.”
Responding, the Acting National Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, Dr. Obafemi Ogbaro, expressed sadness owing to the fact that Ondo South Senatorial District had been in darkness for years, stating that nothing is as important as being connected to the *national* grid of the country.
Also speaking, Ondo State Representative on the NDDC Board, Hon. Otito Atikase, discovered that several communities across five local government areas in the oil production belt of Ondo state were eagerly waiting for the lights to be turned on in their localities. He explained that access to electricity was essential for economic development and improving the quality of life of the people, pointing out that lack of electricity had hindered growth and development in many communities in the Niger Delta region.
