The Oyo State government has begun the process of establishing 40 mini power grids to complement power generation from the national grid, which will serve the people at the rural areas and government establishments.
The state is also in the process of installing about 250km of public lighting projects around the state so as to illuminate major roads for security reasons and promote economic activities in major markets around the state.
Temilolu ‘Seun Ashamu, the state commissioner for energy and mineral resources, said this in Ibadan on Monday while answering questions bordering on the coming second anniversary of the Seyi Makinde administration.
Ashamu said arrangements were on conclusion stage with Shell company to install gas pipelines that will power the mini grid project and thereby decentralize power production in the state.
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“The Independent Power Plant (IPP) is about getting on board and the state has entered into agreement with Shell company on laying of gas pipelines for the purpose of power generation in concert with the national power source to provide electricity for the people in the rural areas, urban areas and government establishments.
“The mini grid project is in conjunction with private partners who will provide 19 mini grids while the government will also provideothers. This will promote industrialization, cut cost of doing business, provide jobs for the youths and improve the economic power of the people and the government,” he said.
Ashamu ascribed the lighting project, which he called ‘Seyi Gbenalee’ project, to the need to use illumination to nip insecurity in the bud while the streetlights will also allow market men and women to stay long at markets to transact businesses and make more money.
He said the ministry has started to provide 351 public health centres across the state with solar-powered energy to preserve vaccines and help power medical equipment.
While commending Governor Makinde for giving welfare of the people a priority, Ashamu called on the people of the state to imbibe the culture of good maintenance, especially on social infrastructures so that the facilities would last long.
