Mohammed Shosanya
Governor of Ekiti State,Biodun Oyebanji has expressed optimism that the new Independent Power Plant would attract investors to the state and also grow business activities.
The governor,who spoke at the commissioning of the 3.6-megawatt Independent Power Plant in Ado-Ekiti, also disclosed that the IPP project would mitigate poor power supply impacting negatively on economic and industrial growth
He also hinted that his administration had received an influx of requests from business owners wanting to connect to the IPP., adding that such connection to the power source would attract charges .
He explained that project was aimed at providing uninterrupted electricity supply to the state.
He also said that the initiative had reinforced the benefit of continuity in government as the project was initiated by his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
He emphasized the pivotal role of energy in the success of his administration’s shared prosperity mantra, underscoring the need for stable electricity to foster thriving businesses and services.
According to him,the project would supply power to critical government infrastructure such as offices, the state hospital, judiciary, legislature, the state university, and the public.
He said: “We have an IPA, the Ekiti State Investment Promotion Agency, in charge of our investment promotion, and I am aware they are in talks with investors.”
He also highlighted additional government efforts beyond electricity, including road infrastructure improvements and the soon-to-be-operational airport, slated for the first quarter of the next year, all aimed at facilitating easy access for investors.
Expressing confidence in the state’s security efforts, Governor Oyebanji noted Ekiti’s status as one of the most secure states in the country, emphasizing that investors require both adequate security and stable.
He outlined the government’s measures to address power challenges, including the rehabilitation of power infrastructure and the restoration of light to communities in darkness for over ten years.
He said:“We have tried to increase commercial hours of the state capital by changing conventional street lights to solar lamps,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing rehabilitation of the 33kVA network from Iluomoba to Ikole Ekiti”
He underscores the significance of the Ekiti State Electricity Power Sector Law 2023, granting the state authority over electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
The state Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, noted that the 3.6MW project, Phase One, would be expanded to 5MW to power more facilities, emphasizing its cardinal role in the industrialization of the state.
Chairman of the Ekiti State Independent Power Plant, Mr. Olufemi Bakare, commended the government’s consistent support for development investments,citing the IPP project as an exemple.
He explained the project’s potential to energize all state infrastructure and facilities in Ado Ekiti metropolitan area through an 11km underground distribution network, anticipating the imminent energization of key locations like the state secretariat, the state Teaching Hospital, and the Ekiti State University.
