The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) officially verified the successful construction and integration of the 132/33kv power substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State into the national electricity network.
During an onsite assessment, Victor Antai, the NDDC’s Executive Director of Projects, underscored the pivotal role of the power station, portraying it as a landmark initiative poised to stimulate economic growth in Ondo State and uplift the well-being of the surrounding communities.
Antai reiterated the NDDC’s firm commitment to supplying electricity to the oil-producing communities located in the Ondo South Senatorial District, which have been deprived of access to power for the past 15 years.
He also stated that April is the month earmarked for the inauguration of the substation.
“The power sub-station is a legacy project which is in line with the directive of our Managing Director/CEO, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to see to the completion and commissioning of legacy projects that will make a meaningful impact on the lives of our people.
“The MD/CEO has also directed that we replicate this legacy project across all states in the Niger Delta and we thank the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the NDDC a performing Governing Board that has the interest of the people at heart,” he said.
He added, “We are committed to lighting up all the local government areas and the oil-producing communities in Ondo South Senatorial District.
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“This is part of NDDC’s mandate to provide infrastructure and development projects in the Niger Delta region. The Commission is committed to fulfilling this mandate by completing all ongoing projects.”
Antai also noted that the power substation would provide electricity to over 2,000 communities across five local government areas within the oil-producing region of Ondo State, significantly impacting lives by ending decades of darkness.
He added that the NDDC had awarded a contract for the total rehabilitation of the distribution network because it was eager to hook up the power lines to the injection substation and enable the benefiting communities to enjoy electricity from the national grid.
Speaking further on the project, Benson Obayelu, who spoke for the contracting firm, said that the scope of the power project covered the evacuation of light from Omotosho with a step down at Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa, through a 132KV double circuit transmission line with two 30/40MVA transformers.
He noted, “The transmission lines run through Ireje with 145 electricity towers that are standing on concrete foundations.”
Obayelu clarified that the project’s extent involves the transmission of electricity from Omotosho, with a stop at Ireje, utilizing a 132KV dual-circuit line, featuring two 30/40MVA transformers located at Okitipupa.
He pointed out that when the project reaches completion, five local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district of Ondo State, which have been devoid of public power supply, will be included.