Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has assured of return of industries to Oyo State with ongoing efforts to ensure reliable and affordable power supply in the state. He also highlighted some of the major impacts of the Power Ministry with ongoing projects and grid- related infrastructures aimed at improving power supply.
Adelabu stated this at the weekend during the Jericho Business Club 2nd Anniversary Socio-Economic Summit held at the Civic Center in Ibadan where he engaged in a discussion on the theme: Powering Oyo State for Industrialization and Economic Development, alongside other stakeholders in the Power and Renewal Energy Sector.
Adelabu stated that “If we can ensure that we have a very good source of power in Oyo State, that is reliable and affordable, I believe that the industries will return because the market is here, the population is here and the proximity to Lagos state is also here, and Ibadan is even the center of the Western Region, so it is an attractive place for industries but the environment must be made conducive for them to come.”
The Minister of Power in his address revealed some of the major impacts of the Ministry of Power programs in ensuring steady electricity supply in Oyo State with grid related infrastructures especially transmission and projects which are currently at different developmental stages.
“We all know about the Ayede substation at Ring road, that’s one of the oldest substations in the country. We all know our population at that time, we all know the level of economic activities at that time, the population and activities have outgrown this substation. We have done a lot of upgrades for the substation but it is not enough.
“I’m happy to announce to you that there’s a new proposal for another 330KV substation at Asejire under the FGN Power Company Initiative of PPI under the Siemens project. If we have two substations in Ibadan, then we don’t have problem.” Adelabu stated.
The Minister of Power also went further to discuss the impact of the ministry across other zones in the State including Oyo town, Ogbomoso as well as Oke Ogun zones.
“There’s a new 32kVA substation in Oyo, a single circuit substation that is working fine, we are going to upgrade it to double circuit.
“In Ogbomoso substation, there is a completed substation. I was there to see the substation, but it is not yet energized. It has not yet been connected due to one reason. There is a line that it will be connected to coming from Ilorin, the work was abandoned before I resumed, we have resumed work and FEC have approved the fund. I believe it will be completed in the next six months and become operational.” Adelabu said.
“We are also revamping the 132KV substation at Eleyele and UI under the FGN Presidential Power Initiative, we are also working on the mobile substation for the University of Ibadan.
“I want to thank Prince Yemi Soladoye for securing land for the newly proposed 132kV substation at Lalupon and Igbo-Elerin axis, Lagelu local government. It has been approved and work has started. I was able to contact Prince Soladoye and he was able to talk with the villagers and he was able to give us the required land, That’s good news for the Ibadan outer city.” Adelabu added.
“Then there is a grid extension at Iseyin and Itesiwaju LGs. We are improving light in Okeho, Ilero and the environs, very soon all my people in Oke-Ogun will have a stable power supply.” Adelabu concluded.
