Jubilation erupted in Ifetedo, Garage-Olode, Omifunfun, Aayeoba, Egbejoda, Araromi Oke-Odo and their adjourning communities in Ife-south local government area of Osun State, as the State government unveiled plans to restore electricity to communities in darkness 10 years after.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Amidu Tadese Raheem, on Tuesday said government has approved the procurement and installation of 33KVA Feeder Line that would supply electricity to the affected areas.
The Water Resources and Energy Commissioner, said Governor Oyetola’s resolve to restore light to the affected areas was in fulfilment of his promise to champion the people’s yearnings and aspirations.
Raheem, who commended the Governor for giving the project a speedy approval, said the gesture would go a long way to restore the lost glory of the people of the communities, thus resuscitating their paralysed socioeconomic and commercial activities.
He disclosed that work would commence on the project shortly after the Eid celebration.
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Raheem, said: “This meeting is principally arranged to inform the inhabitants of this town and adjourning communities of the landmark achievements of this administration in facilitating this project which is the extension of 33KVA Feeder Line from Ajebandele, Ile-Ife to Garage-Olode and further extension to Ifetedo.
“This project, which undoubtedly is the baby of this administration, will kick-start the socio-economic activities of the affected areas thus bringing what I would call Oyetola’s honey into the people’s lives.
“Going forward, the state of Osun would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and its agencies, such as Niger Delta Power Holding Company and Stakeholders to ensure prompt completion of of the project.
“The State Government, led by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola would also ensure that all towns and villages in the whole of Ife-South local government and Ife-south-east LCDA have power supply either through conventional or renewable energy means”.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Energy, Engr. Felix Adeniran Ibitoye, implored the beneficiary communities to put the proposed project into good use just as he urged them to protect and treasure the facilities particularly the equipment that the contractor would deploy to the sites.
“Government will therefore expect the people of these communities to play their own part in making this project a reality. We expect that all the electrical infrastructure currently on ground, whether dilapidated or not, will be kept safe and make available to the installation team at appropriate times.
“We equally expect our people to pay their taxes and levies so as to make fund available to the government to continue implementing vital developmental projects that will transform the lives of our people while we thank you for supporting government all this while, we solicit your unflinching commitment to continue to do so”, Ibitoye added.
In their separate remarks, the Olu of Olode, Oba David Omisore, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin; member Osun House of Assembly representing Ife-South constituency, Hon. Gbenga Ogundipe and Chairman Ife-South Local Government, Hon. Mufutau Adegbite, commended the good gesture of the state government on the electrification project, saying government has done well to improve the lives of the people of the Council.
Welcoming the government’s officials who were on sensitization meeting ahead of the commencement of the project, the community leaders and stakeholders in Ifetedo and Garage-Olode, expressed gratitude to Governor Oyetola for prioritising their welfare in spite the paucity of funds.
The National President, Ifetedo Progressive Union, Alhaji Musedik Gbenga Ojuade, said the gesture would rekindle the hope of the people of the town and help them return a normal life.
Ojuade who spoke on behalf of the residents during the sensitisation parley at the Olubosin of Ifetedo’s Palace, said the restoration of the electricity has further confirmed the commitment of government to the general well-being of the people.
He said: “We are grateful to the present government for taking our challenges to the front burner of its priorities as this gesture would go a long way to restore life to our communities.
“It is not a news that we have been facing serious challenge of electricity supply in Ifetedo and its environs over the years as we have been in total darkness due to where we draw power from and this had contributed in no measure to socioeconomic setback, but what is news now is that we will soon begin to live our normal lives.
With this gesture coming from the state government, our collective hopes would be restored.
“We hope that work to install necessary facilities that would facilitate quick restoration, supply and distribution of electricity across the nooks and crannies of the Council would commence in the next few weeks as promised”, he said.
