By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says the state is working towards generating its own electricity and will also distribute it to neighbouring states when this was achieved.

Adeleke said this Thursday in Ilesa during the inauguration of the construction of the Obokun 33KV feeder line, a project expected to enhance electricity supply in the state.

The governor said the state had a robust plan to transform its energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.

Adeleke said the state had a draft electricity bill and policy which would expand power 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 the state.

“The policy and the bill, when finally passed and signed into law, will change the face of Osun electricity space.

“Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity.

“We will issue licences to those capable of generating electricity and we will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

“We are acting fast in the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth.

“Regular power supply boosts economic activities and our vision is that Osun will be self-sufficient in power supply and also export to neighboring states,” he said.

Adeleke, who noted that the feeder had been abandoned for 11 years, said people of the affected areas suffered untold hardship, blackout and economic loss during the period.

“From today, that era of darkness has come to an end. Light has come and darkness has vanished,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Festus Adeyemo, the state’s Commissioner for Energy, said contract for the repair of the feeder line was first awarded on Jan. 25 in 2013.

He added that this was with 30 per cent funding being released to the contractor.

Adeyemi, however, said the project was later abandoned due to lack of interest by successive administrations.

The commissioner said, when completed, the feeder line would supply electricity to some communities in the four local government areas (LGAs) of Ilesa West, Obokun, Boluwaduro and Atakumosa West. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

VE/KOLE/EMAF
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Edited by Remi Koleoso and Emmanuel Afonne