The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has faulted the the indictment of the Federal government by Oyo State House of Assembly on the state of power supply in the state, specifically in Ibarapa zone.
He said their action was a fallout of their ignorance and bias.
He spoke at the end of a meeting with the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, (IBEDC) and other stakeholders on a way forward to improve power supply in Oyo state and other states that falls within its jurisdiction.
He said Oyo state government has done nothing to assist the federal government with the liberalization and decentralization of power sector following the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023 into law by President Bola Tinubu, which empowers state government to also generate electricity
He disclosed that Ibarapa zone of the state will start enjoying steady electricity supply with the ongoing projects in the area.
He said the indictment of the Federal Government on the state of power supply by the Oyo State Assembly is strictly out of political bias.
He said they were aware that the power sector has been liberalized and decentralized following the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023 into Law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“All levels of governments are now allowed to play their role from the Federal government to the states and local governments. They are all charged to make sure they extend electricity to their people as part of their electoral promises”, he said.
He said though Oyo State has passed the electricity bill and the electricity regulatory agency bill, the government has not done anything over the years.
He added:”They have never lifted a finger to support the Federal government to ensure that Oyo State indigenes and residents enjoy uninterrupted and reliable electricity.
“The only power project they have, the 11KV diesel power project at the Secretariat is moribund after they spent billions of Oyo State fund on it. It has never produced a Kilowatt of energy for Oyo State residents.
“So they do not have the moral right to condemn activities of the Federal government. This is because we have done a lot for Oyo State and the benefits will be seen in a couple of months”
Adelabu said the Federal Government has set up over 20 projects to boost power supply in Oyo State, saying some of them have been completed and some are ongoing, while new ones are being introduced.
He also said the Federal government is addressing the issue of electricity in Ibarapa.
He added:”We are addressing the issue of electricity in Ibarapa zone which consists of Ibarapa East, Central and the North. We have a number of projects ongoing. Some of them have been completed and the supply of power has increased a bit but we believe they deserved more than that.
“We just completed high voltage Wires from Eruwa to Lanlate to Idere which have improved supply.”
