The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed commitment to improving electricity access through the strengthening of the National Grid and the extension of the state’s Independent Power Project (IPP) to strategic institutions in the State.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement with relevant government officials in Ado-Ekiti
Aluko said the electricity intervention projects, being executed under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), were aimed at strengthening and expanding power supply across the state stressing that the project represents another step in Ekiti’s journey toward energy security, economic growth and improved quality of life for its citizens.
According to him, the projects include the extension of a four-kilometre 33kV power line from CBN Junction, Ado-Ekiti, to Iyin-Ekiti, as well as a six-kilometre 11kV line from Ayoba Junction, Government House, to the Ureje area of the state capital.
Aluko explained that the 33kV line to Iyin-Ekiti was designed to boost public power supply to the university town, while the 11kV extension would supply electricity from the state’s IPP to the Ekiti State Water Treatment Plant, the Technical College and the Technology Incubation Centre in Ureje, ado-Ekiti
The Commissioner said the projects were approved by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC)
Aluko disclosed that the state government was also working towards the expansion of the Independent Power Project to increase electricity supply and provide alternative power sources to meet growing energy demand in Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state.
He said the IPP, which currently delivers about 2.6 megawatts during peak hours, had been extended beyond its original scope to serve government offices, the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital and other revenue-generating government institutions, adding that demand from new subscribers continues to grow
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According to him, the ongoing interventions form part of the Federal Government’s electricity projects focused on transmission and distribution upgrades to improve power supply to homes, businesses, educational institutions, health facilities and water infrastructure across the state.
Aluko noted that the expansion of electricity infrastructure aligned with the vision of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji to deliver stable, reliable and sustainable power supply as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation and improved service delivery.
He added that the introduction of the state grid concept would complement the National Grid by providing alternative electricity pathways to ensure energy security and uninterrupted power supply across communities.
The commissioner said under the federal Government intervention project , transformers had also been distributed to some communities in the State Capital including Uso-Agbaye, Ofin, Olorunsogo and Toluwani, Omisanjana under the project.
Also speaking, the Project Manager, Engr. Nwovah Chicoba, assured stakeholders and host communities of full cooperation to ensure smooth implementation and timely completion of the projects.
Representatives of beneficiary communities, including the Olugbaye of Ugbaye, Chief Ajayi Ebenezer, and the Obanla of Uso, Chief Emmanuel Jimoh Abiola, commended the state government for its efforts at improving electricity access, describing the intervention as a boost to socio-economic development.