Governor Adetola Adeleke of Osun State has revealed that plans are in top gear to generate electricity in the state.
Adeleke disclosed this during the flag-off of the Obokun 33KV Feeder Line at Osunjela, Ilesa West LGA on Thursday.
As part of the steps taken so far, Adeleke revealed that the state has a draft electricity bill and policy which would expand power generation and distribution.
He added that these frameworks, when finally passed into law, will change the face of the electricity sector in Osun State.
While expressing delight that the feeder line project has been constructed and relocated to ease the challenges experienced by the four LGAs it is expected to serve, he revealed that the project had been abandoned for 11 years by past governments.
He said, “We will issue licenses for those capable of generating electricity. We will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan disco. We will manage the relationship between power generators and purchasers. The new plan will create a regulatory agency for the state power sector.
“I commend the Ministry of Energy for doing a good job on the making of the policy and the proposed legislation. We must follow up to ensure that early passage.
“Ahead of the passage, I am further directing the Ministry to develop an implementation plan with timelines and deliverables. Stakeholders must be fully involved in the process for sustainable outcome.
“We are acting fast on the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth. Regular power supply boosts economic activities. Our vision is that Osun state will be self-sufficient in power supply and also export to neighbouring states”
He also reiterated his commitment to making Osun a hub of electricity generation and distribution.
“As a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our focus to bring economic light to the people of Osun state. We have a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation. I am therefore elated to repeat that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Energy in the state, Festus Adeyemo stated that the feeder line project was first awarded on 25th January, 2013 with 30 per cent funding released to the contractor.
Adeyemi revealed that it was later abandoned due to non-funding and lack of interest by successive administrations despite the danger it posed to the lives and properties of the dwellers along the route of the distribution network.
Plans underway to generate electricity in Osun – Gov Adeleke