The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of plans to connect residential areas and 70km street lights to the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo Power Plant in Benin City, for supply of 24-hour electricity.
Obaseki gave the assurance during the Edo State Town Hall Meeting with the Transition Committee Members and the state’s stakeholders from across the world via Zoom meeting.
He said: “Ossiomo Power is on. It is what is being used in Government House. We are trying to create an electricity commission with laws that will allow them to sell to people outside of the state government facilities.
“The Secretariat building and Government House are being powered by Ossiomo. It is on and working. We have a project to put about 70km of street lights around Benin City. The contractors are working on that. It is going to be powered by Ossiomo Power.”
“We have to change the laws to enable a distribution company to move the power from Ossiomo to your own homes; that is what we are working on now. Before long, the law should be passed, with the necessary regulatory permits obtained so that we can get power to individuals. Be rest assured that the turbines are there and are firing,” the governor added.
On the dualisation of the Ekehuan Road project, the Obaseki noted, “we are not owing the contractors; we have enough money to complete the project. Major work has been done. It is just left for surfacing; the paving has been done. I won’t be surprised if they come to site to finish up on time.
“The rains particularly in April were quite treacherous and may have slowed down the pace of work for them. I want to assure you that funding is not a problem for the project. We have raised the bond early this year and part of the fund is for the project.
The money is there in the bank to fund the contractor.”
