The Oyo State Governor in Southwest Nigeria, Seyi Makinde, has said the vision of the state remained to be the first among the comity of states in the country to attain energy sufficiency.
Makinde disclosed that was his aspiration going on his professional experience as an electrical engineer and in the spirit of the new law that empowers state governments in the country to generate and distribute power.
The governor said this, on Monday, at the commissioning of transformers and restoration of electricity at Idi Obi/Jigan/Kure/Olorunda Ogunsola and environs, donated by a philanthropist, Dotun Sanusi.
Governor Makinde, at the event, the first after his inauguration for a second term in office, appreciated the people for their support during the elections and commended Sanusi for the donations, among his other gestures towards the people of the state, urging other citizens who have resources and means to impact the less privileged to take a cue from Sanusi.
He said: “What is important is that there are people of means, that have the money and resources. But, they will rather keep the resources for only themselves and their families.
“But Engineer Dotun Sanusi not only installed transformers linking almost about 8 communities here and another five communities at the other side, but he also provided the infrastructure, the cables, the poles and everything,” the governor revealed.
He faulted the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for selling meters to residents to generate income, urging the company to find ways of helping residents benefit from the investments in the infrastructure provided by Sanusi in the form of discounted billings and electricity usage.
Governor Makinde stated: “Yes, they are the ones that will be collecting money in terms of electricity bills, but the good news is that the law has changed. Now, as Oyo State, we can get into electricity generation and distribution and we will get into it.
“Of the New Electricity Law in Nigeria, let me say this, our aspiration is that in the comity of states in Nigeria, Oyo State will be the first state to attain energy sufficiency because your governor is an electrical engineer and that’s what I do,” the governor disclosed.
The governor also seized the opportunity to canvas for the re-election of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, noting that although he is not a member of the House of Assembly, he had worked hand in hand with the lawmakers and they had all put the interest of the state first, which had translated into stability in government.
He noted: “Anybody who does well, just like the people of the state appreciated us and gave us another opportunity for a second term, we must give such an individual another opportunity to continue the good works.”
Speaking earlier about the project, the donor, Dotun Sanusi, commended Makinde for the effort at improving the state, adding that the governor always makes engineers proud.
