The activity of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN to ensure that investments and Public Private Partnership succeed in the State has again yielded positive results.
The Country Manager and the Head of Civil Division of Matelec Limited, Messrs Badih Feghaly and Tyser Nazzel today respectively confirmed this during an Inspection Tour led by the Governor to the reactivated 2 x 150MVA, 330/132kv + 2 x 60MVA + 132/33KV Regional Power Substation in Owode, Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
Mr Badih Feghaly explained that although the project commenced in 2010, there was no political will to drive it to completion. But when Akeredolu assumed office in February, 2017, he shown concerns. He took up the matter in Abuja and made necessary consultation for the project to be completed.
“Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN made it one of the priority projects for reactivation, upon assumption of office, and has since been vigorously liaising with the Federal Minister of Power, Works and Housing on the project”, he said.
Governor Akeredolu expressed satisfaction on the level of work done and assured the contractors of the State’s readiness to continue to do all within its power to ensure that the project is successful.
Former Managing Director of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Engr. Olusola Akinniranye FNSE who was also at the project site requested for further intervention from the Governor to ensure that the take – off from Benin is equally completed on time.
Governor Akeredolu who explained that he had earlier directed that the Project Manager, Engr. Toyin Omotoso, who is the CEO of Tosh Limited, the Nigerian partner of Matelec, work with his Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Tunji Ariyomo FNSE on the development of a framework to enable Ondo State benefit fully from the mega project upon completion.
Engr. Omotoso explained that the outstanding works are mainly civil works – the erection of outstanding plant equipment on site, and the stringing of the transmission lines from Oshogbo to Akure.
He added that the plant when completed was capable of stabilizing electricity in the State capital and could as well be extended to the Northern senatorial district of the State.
Further, he revealed an earlier plan with the Special Adviser to urgently explore options that would give the State more flexibility over its power challenges including the acquisition of a special distribution status to mitigate the bottlenecks currently being experienced in various parts of the State.
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