Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos –– The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has announced the completion and imminent inauguration of the 132/33kv electricity sub-station at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. The accomplishment heralds the planned handover of the sub-station to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, for operational management.
The milestone achievement follows closely on the performance bond recently signed by the Commission with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
When operational, the electricity sub-station will illuminate 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.
The scope of the power project covers 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. The transmission lines running through Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa, pass through 145 electricity towers.
However, because of the delay over the years, the distribution lines, low-tension distribution networks, and relief transformers have been vandalised and they need total rehabilitation. The NDDC has awarded a contract for the total rehabilitation of the distribution network and this is currently ongoing and will be completed soon.
Ordinarily, it is the responsibility of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to rehabilitate the distribution network but the NDDC is coming in because it is eager to hook up the power lines to the injection sub-station and enable the benefitting communities to enjoy electricity from the national grid.
In July 2023, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, alongside Commission management members, paid a courtesy call to Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the then Acting Governor of Ondo State, at the Government House in Akure. The delegation discussed the completion of the electricity project and the extensive efforts underway to ensure its swift commissioning and effective handover to TCN.
On this occasion, Hon. Aiyedatiwa lauded the NDDC’s landmark project, emphasising the transformative light it brings to many communities previously left in darkness for years. He appealed for assistance in extending the distribution network to reach the Ilaje Local Government Area, highlighting the significant impact this would have on the region.
The NDDC acknowledges the Ondo State government’s crucial role in expediting the project’s inauguration. NDDC recognises the diligent work of the state Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in coordinating with the Commission, other stakeholders, and particularly the TCN towards this achievement.
The Ondo State Government has also stepped in in the area of metering because even if NDDC evacuates the power from the sub-station to the relief transformers, there will be need for meters for the respective households. Hence, the state government is taking up the responsibility of providing meters for the households.
NDDC assures all stakeholders in the Niger Delta of its commitment to tying up the loose ends and ensuring the inauguration and official handover ceremony to TCN.
