By Toba Babalola
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has flagged off the Construction of 132kV/33kV Power Sub Stations in Ijesa Isu and Ilupeju Ekiti to ameliorate the prolonged power crisis in the State and further strengthen and reinforce the national grid.
At the Ceremony held in Ijesa Isu Ekiti, Dr Fayemi said the project construction of Ikere (Ado Ekiti)-Ijesa Isu-Ilupeju Ekiti 50km 132 KV double circuit transmission line with Switching Station in Ikere would commence immediately.
The project was a collaborations between Ekiti State Government and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2020.Over the years, incessant power outage had been a major challenge for Ekiti residents especially traders and Artisans.
This had crippled economic activities in most towns, blocked opportunities for entrepreneurship, while rural dwellers had continued to remain in perpetual darkness.
Considering the hardship being faced by the people, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi through his efforts to bring federal presence to the state got the support of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to install 330kV/132kV/33kV Transmission Substation to Boost Power in Ekiti.
Governor Fayemi represented by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi said the construction of power line with 2 Sub stations would improve power supply with a view top boost socio economic activities in all the council areas.
Governor Fayemi urged residents to protect all the power equipment from vandals, while calling on contractors to use quality materials and deliver the project as designed.
The Executive Director. Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr Victor Adewumi-an Engineer, Executive and Minister of Power, said the quality of power coming to Ekiti from Osogbo was low, hence the need for TCN to increase the energy supply from 15mega watts to 150 mega watts.
Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, represented by Mr Ahmed Abdul-aziz said the Federal Government is not relenting to ensuring increase in power supply and open more areas for national development.
Earlier, the Director General, OTSD & Commissioner In Charge of Public Utilities, Prof Mobolaji Aluko said the project which is expected to be completed within 18 months would increase energy supplies across various towns of the State.
Goodwill messages came from the Chairman Ekiti Council of Obas, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon represented by Obalaye of Oke Ayedun, Oba Femi Aribisala, Obanla of Ijesa Isu Ekiti, Oba Oso Adeniyi, Regent of Ilupeju Ekiti, Mojisade Oniyelu and leader of Business, EKHA, Mr Aribisogan thanked President Buhari and Governor Fayemi for the citing of the 2 Power Sub Stations.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would create more jobs for the people and as well boost the local economy.
