Ekiti State Government has incorporated ‘Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nig. Limited’ with the Corporate Affairs Commission to effectively provide and handle services relating to Electricity and Energy Engineering in the State.
The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof. Bolaji Aluko who made this known in Ado Ekiti during an audience participation programme on Radio, ” Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today”, explained that the newly registered company would operate as an independent private body devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with the Civil Service.
Prof. Aluko highlighted the objectives of the company to include rendering services for the provision of electricity to the public and private sectors as well as rendering such services commercially to individuals and governments of other states in Nigeria; to render services relating to electricity and energy engineering including consultancy and design of electricity infrastructures from renewable or non renewable energy sources and to develop and deploy technical support services in the electricity sector as a commercial service.
Aluko said that the company is expected to collaborate with other corporate organizations in engineering businesses involving generation, transmission and local distribution of electricity as well as power metering technology production and sales within Ekiti State as well as render strategic support expert consultancy services on best standard practices and process optimization to corporate organizations and state government institutions in the area of electricity.
He added that when required, it is also authorized to appoint licensed entities to procure and aggregate feedstock for utilization under the power schemes of Ekiti state and purchase electricity including materials and equipment in bulk from independent power service provides and external sources such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) or sell to consumers across the state.
Reiterating the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to the provision of stable electricity, Aluko highlighted the achievements of administration in the power sector to include the establishment of the 5-Megawatt Independent Power Project, which is currently providing uninterrupted power supply to Government Offices and some other key government installations in the state capital as well as the rehabilitated and connected Erijiyan, Ikogosi and Ikogosi Resorts back to the National Grid to enhance the State tourism corridor.
Other achievements of the administration include rehabilitation and connection of Ipole lloro-Ekiti back to the National Grid, rehabilitation and reconnection of ljan, Ilumoba, Aisegba, Agbado, Imesi, Ode, Isinbode, Egbe, Iro-Ayeteju and Omuo in Ayekire and Ekiti East LGAs and their LCDAs back to the National Grid as well as the extension of 33KV network from 132KV Omisanjana transmission substation to Baptist High School and the connection of Ilawe Dedicated 33KV feeder line with Erijiyan-Ekiti.
The administration installed 500kVA 33/0.415 relief transformer at Ikogosi and commenced extension of electricity from Eruku, Kwara State to the agricultural zone in lyemero as well as extension of electricity from Omuo-Ekiti to Eda-Ile, Ikun Oba, Araromi and Ilasa Ekiti while several other initiatives including the extension of a dedicated 33kv feeder line from Omisanjana through Ilawe to Igbara Odo are ongoing.
Prof. Aluko assured that finding solution to challenges in stable electric supply would also address most of the problems associated with the distribution of potable tap water in the State.
According to him, unstable electric power supply resulted in the inability to pump water from the several water dams abound in the State to the consumers, adding that it is only when water is steadily pumped that damaged and obsolete pipes can be identified and repaired.
He however assured that Government would not relent efforts at developing the State and making life more meaningful for the people with the provision of basic amenities.
Speaking also on the activities of the State Fire Service, the Commissioner said that operatives of the department have been trained to focus more on fire prevention than firefighting, stressing that firefighting would be needless if preventive measures are adhered to.
Aluko however advised residents to call telephone number 112 in event of any emergency including fire outbreak for prompt response.