Positive Signals From Ondo Ministry Of Energy, Mines & Mineral Resources
By: Ojo Oyewamide
The signals issuing from the newly created Ondo State Ministry of Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources are positive and heart-warming. They are the kind that engenders hope and restores faith in governance. The ministry seems to be in a hurry to make notable impacts and justify its creation. It, therefore, needs constant support from all and sundry to fuel its determination and commitment.
One of the key points of the REDEEMED agenda of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu government is energy, mining and sustainable industries. It is the goal of the government to make energy available for industrial development and for the use and convenience of the citizenry. It is in pursuance of this goal that the ministry of energy, mines and mineral resources was created.
The ministry was created in December, 2021. It is just one and a half months old. If morning shows the day, the early signs from the ministry show what it has in store for the state and her people. Within a very short time, the young man heading the ministry, Engr. Razaq Obe, has proved to be a round peg in a round hole. The commissioner has been making certain moves aimed at achieving the goals of his ministry.
Vandalism is a serious problem in the country. And Ondo state is not an exception. It is common to see public assets needlessly destroyed, defaced or carted away. To tackle the vandalism of power assets and illegal mining in the Sunshine state, Obe’s ministry, a couple of days ago, secured the partnership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Obe has also got assurance from the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, that his organisation will continue to partner with the ministry to combat illegal miners and power asset vandals. The feat was achieved after the commissioner’s engagements with the leadership of the security agencies.
For about 14 years now, the southern senatorial zone of the state has been without electricity. Governor Akeredolu has been passionate about ending the nightmare and restoring electricity to the zone. Some days ago, Obe met with key stakeholders from the southern senatorial district with a view to finding a lasting solution to the electricity problem. The stakeholders were led by the Chairman of the Ondo South Power Committee, Oba Festus Olumoyegun, the Oniju of Iju Odo.
In the meeting, Obe assured them: ”We will try to urgently solve this perennial power problem in communities in the southern part once and for all. Governor Akeredolu created the Ministry of Energy Mines and Mineral Resources to speed up the reconnection of the zone to the national grid in record time. The governor is tired of the usual excuses. He is prepared to step on toes to achieve the desired results in record time.”
Obe has also met with the senior officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria. The focus of the meeting was to discuss strategies of achieving the Akeredolu government’s goal of providing stable electricity for the people of the state.
The state is fortunate to have a power transmission sub-station in Akure. The project was attracted to the state capital by Prince Abiodun Derin Adesida when he represented the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011. But the project has not been completed. This was part of the issues the commissioner discussed with the TCN officials.
What is impeding the completion of the project has been identified. The commissioner has led officials of his ministry to inspect the transmission sub-station. He has met with the TCN assistant general manager (Line Project), Engr. Rabiu Bako, to resolve the way leave issues confronting the 330KV Osogbo-Akure line. He has also promised to drive engagements with land owners with vigour to end the way leave challenges.
The transmission sub-station will surely ensure power stability in the state. When completed, the 55MW supply to the state from Osogbo is expected to increase to over 200MW.
The commissioner has also called on Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to end the estimated billings system. He asked them to make frantic efforts to ensure prepaid meters are distributed to every consumer. He flayed the estimated metering system.
The state government invested a lot of resources in power infrastructures. But the state has not received any compensation for its investment. The commissioner has vowed to demand for the state’s right and compensation for the power infrastructures built with the state resources.
“On resumption in office, we called BEDC to our office where we discussed the values and the need to employ the service of a consultant to estimate all the investment of the state in our power infrastructures. But the answer from the official of the company was appalling, saying they purchased the entire infrastructure when they bought the power sector.
“It may take 10 years or more but we are going to win at the court. It may be DisCos or Federal Government that will pay certain billions to Ondo state government because there is no part of Nigeria law that permits one to steal directly from other,” Obe declared in an event.
It is hoped that the fire will keep on burning in the ministry. Governor Akeredolu deserves commendation for creating the ministry and sourcing for a capable hand to head it. Obe also deserves commendation for obeying the call of the state.
*** Oyewamide is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akeredolu on Media and Publicity
