Lemiloju community in Ondo East Local Government Area and Ala-Elefosan in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State have been electrified for the first time since their existence.
The feat was accomplished through a joint venture by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration, through Ondo State Power Company, with some selected power services providers to supply electricity to some communities which had not been covered by the national grid.
This has led to the introduction of the hybrid mini-grid power plant by the service providers to solve the power challenges of the residents of the affected communities.
Akeredolu, during the inauguration of the mini-grid power plants in the communities, his administration would continue to attend to the needs of the people no matter the distance of the community from the state capital.
He disclosed more communities and housing estates have been penciled down for similar projects to resolve the problem of power supply.
Acting Managing Director, Ondo State Power Company (OSPC), Williams Abe, explained Governor Akeredolu opted for the hybrid mini-grid power plant when he discovered that there was no hope that the Discos would be able to provide adequate and consistent power supply for the state.
He said: “The Governor saw the need to rescue the state from the Discos which had to a great extent slowed down the economic development of the state.
“We really appreciate Allon/United State of African Development Foundation (USADF) for its support for making the Ala-Elefosan power project a huge success.”
At Ala-Elefosan, the traditional ruler, the Olu of Ala-Elefosan, Chief Aladenika, could not hide his excitement at the development, appreciating Governor Akeredolu and officials who contributed to the successful construction and installation of the equipment by the service providers.
He disclosed for over a century since the community had been in existence, it was having an electricity supply for the first time.
The Oloja of Lemiloju, Chief Jimoh Akinuoju, said he could not thank the governor enough for the great service done to his people.
He said: “Since the completion of the installation of the power plant, we have been enjoying constant power supply. Our children can now study at night while we can now preserve our perishable farm produce in our freezers.
“We now drink real ice-cold water, beer and soft drinks which we only experienced when we go to Ondo City once a while.
“Some of us have now started purchasing electrical appliances and the noise from power generating sets has now become a thing of the past in our community.”
