In a groundbreaking feat of innovation and local governance, the Executive Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Hon. Adebare Adeboye, has commissioned a solar-paneled car park that not only shelters vehicles but also supplies clean, renewable electricity to the Local Government Secretariat.
The facility, the first of its kind in the council’s history, converts the Secretariat’s car park into a dual-purpose infrastructure, serving both as a shaded parking area and a mini-solar power plant. The system feeds electricity directly into administrative offices, drastically reducing the council’s dependence on diesel generators and the unstable national grid.
Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony in Ile-Oluji, Hon. Adeboye described the project as “a product of vision, creativity and commitment to sustainable governance.”
“This administration is focused on practical innovations that solve real problems. The solar-paneled car park represents our belief that local governments can drive the green-energy revolution and save costs while doing so,” the chairman said.
According to technical details from the Works Department, the facility features high-efficiency solar panels, inverters, and a battery-storage system capable of powering critical operations at the Secretariat throughout the day.
Beyond power supply, the canopy provides much-needed shade for staff and visitors, protecting vehicles from heat and rainfall while generating electricity from sunlight.
The new system has also cut generator fuel usage, reduced maintenance costs, and improved the working environment with lower noise and cleaner air.
The project created employment for local artisans and technicians during installation, with ongoing maintenance training designed to build technical capacity among the area’s youth.
Community members have praised the initiative as a “model of purposeful leadership.” Mrs. Afolake Olaniyan, a civil servant at the Secretariat, said, “This is innovation we can see and feel, our offices now have power without noise or fumes.”
The solar car park marks a milestone in Ondo State’s growing shift toward renewable energy and sustainable public infrastructure. The Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Council plans to replicate the initiative across selected community health centres and schools to boost service delivery and energy independence.
“We want to leave behind a legacy of innovation that others can build on. This project shows that smart ideas can thrive even at the grassroots,” Hon. Adeboye added.
