PRESIDENT TINUBU INAUGURATES ELECTRICITY POWER STATION TO END 15 YEARS OF DARKNESS IN ONDO SOUTH
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
About two thousand Communities in Ondo South Senatorial District have been assured of steady power supply, following the inauguration of multi-billion naira one hundred and thirty-two cum thirty-three Kilovolts injection power station by Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in Ode-Erinje Community, Okitikpukpa Local Government Area Ondo state, to end over fifteen years of darkness.
President Bola Tinubu who performed the inauguration described it as part of the the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration meant to eradicate poverty and enhance rural development.
The project that was awarded about ten years ago involved the construction of forty five km double circuit thirty three kilovolts feeder lines from Omotosho power station to Okitikpukpa and one hundred and thirty two cum thirty-three injection substation with breakers as well as two thirty mega volts amp transformers.
To achieve the feat, one hundred and forty five power towers were installed to take one hundred and thirty two kilovolts of power from the National grid and step it down at the power station with the aid of the two transformers with forty and thirty mega volts capacity.
Inaugurating the project, President Bola Tinubu described it as part of the renewed Hope agenda aimed at overall development of Niger Delta region.
Represented by Minister of Niger Delta Development, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, the president said that the present administration has a priority on power infrastructure to boost industrialization and growth of small businesses across the country.
He noted that the power project would guarantee power supply to the benefiting five Local Government areas.
While commending NDDC for the bold step,
the President called on national Assembly to pass 2024 budget of NDDC to bring to reality the vision of the commission.
Similarly, Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa who said the power station would mark an end of fifteen years of darkness in Ondo South , noted that it was a big step in the vision of Mr. president in the development of the country
He mentained that the project would create Job opportunities and improve the livelihood of the people.
According to the governor, all NDDC board and other stakeholders that worked towards the realization of the project need to be commended.
He appreciated the youths, traditional rulers and entire residents of the affected local government for providing enabling environment for successful completion of the project.
in the same vein, Chairman Board of NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie told the people that the present board of NDDC was determined to make a difference and change the narrative in the programmes and policies of the commission.
On his part, Managing Director NDDC, DR Samuel Ogbuku described the project as a testimony of the determination of NDDC to ensure development of rural communities.
Dr. Ogbuku noted that the project was part of eighty four billion naira worth of projects billed for inauguration to mark one year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.
The Managing Director acknowledged that the signing of performance bond with the Minister was instrumental to the completion of the project.
Giving the project brief, Executive director Projects EDP, NDDC, sir Victor Antai who reiterated the determination of Dr. Ogbuku led administration to execute legacy and regional projects across Niger Delta region, expressed confidence that the project would boost economic activities in about five local government areas in the state.
