Oyo State governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Seyi Makinde, has assured that the state would be the first to achieve energy sufficiency in the country.
The governor spoke at the commissioning of two transformers (500KVA and 300KVA) donated by chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, to communities in Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.
He gave the assurance based his conviction on the constitutional amendment that enables states to generate and distribute electricity.
Makinde stated in a release, on Monday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde said: “Now, as Oyo State, we can get into the electricity generation and distribution and we will get into it.
“So, we will take advantage of the new electricity law in Nigeria.
“Our aspiration is that in the comity of states in Nigeria, Oyo State will be the first to attain energy sufficiency because your Governor is into electrical engineering.”
He eulogized the donor of the transformers and urged other people of means to emulate him and contribute to the development of their communities.
“Not only did Engineer Dotun Sanusi install the transformers, he also linked a number of communities together. He provided the infrastructure like the cables too.
“So, on behalf of the government, the people of Oyo State, especially the people of Ona Ara Local Government Area, we want to appreciate Engineer Sanusi for what he is doing in the local government, communities and the state. We are really proud of him.
“We noticed that the IBEDC brought meter here to get money.
“Well, we won’t say they should not collect their money but they should tell us how they will provide electricity for the people at a discounted rate first, because they did not provide the poles and cables.
“I said this because we need to recover the money spent on the infrastructure,” Governor Makinde stated.
Speaking on the rationale behind the donation, Engineer Sanusi said he did so to support the efforts of Governor Makinde.
He said: “The fact is that Engineer Seyi Makinde has made those of us who are engineers very proud due to his approach to governance.
“I can say without any fear of contradiction that there is no governor in Nigeria who can match the developmental strides of Engineer Makinde.”
In their separate remarks, Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Muhammed Fadeyi, and President, Ona Ara Development Forum, Alhaji Kola Bolomope, assured the governor of continued support.
The duo thereafter sought for the extension of the ongoing project at Akaran and its extension from the spot to Araromi, establishment of an international market as well as a higher institution in the local government.
In attendance at the event were the deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal; former deputy governor and Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja.
Also present were another former deputy governor, Engineer Hamid Gbadamosi; wife of a former governor of the state, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja; and wife of the donor, Chief Mrs Joyce Dotun Sanusi.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly; Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; a former Speaker of the state legislature, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi; and a former Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Saka Balogun were also present.
Also present were the state Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; Oyo State CAN Chairman, Apostle Akinyemiju Joshua; erstwhile members of the Oyo State Exco, former commissioners and senior aides to the governor.
Royal fathers in attendance included the Olubadan of Ibadanland, represented by the Otun Balogun Olubadan, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao; Onpetu of ljeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran; the Olu of Igboora, Oba Olajide Titiloye; and the Akibio of llora, Oba Stephen Olufemi..
Chairman, Association of Local Government Chairman (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, Hon Sikiru Sanda and other local government chairmen, including the chairmen of Statutory Commissions, were also present.
