Inside Edo
NDDC move to electrify Abudu, Iru, Oghada, Others in Edo
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
28 Mar 2024 06:20 AM
Abudu, Edo – Succor seems to have come for residents of some communities in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode local government areas of Edo State without electricity, following moves by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide a new stepdown transformer, fix damaged electricity cables and replace broken poles, in a bid to end years of blackout in the affected area.
The lack of electricity has crippled socio economic activities in Oza, Iru, Ugbeze, Abudu, Uvbe, Iguomoson, Igbogiri and other surrounding communities connected to the broken down 2.5 KVA electricity transformer, sited at Oghada community, as homes, business centers, courts, healthcare facilities, and others rely mainly on alternative source for power to carry out their activities.
Efforts by the Edo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) to replace the transformer and other failed equipment to further address the situation has been hindered by vandalism and the state government's indifference to the power problem.
However, a source close to the office of Edo state representative in the NDDC, Patrick Aisowieren on Thursday revealed that a financial appropriation has been made in the commission's 2024 budget to reconnect the area back to the national grid.
The source told BENDEL Mirror that Aisowieren has "prioritize the problem with an estimated N250,000,000 appropriated for the project".
According to the source, "The funds would be utilized for the procurement of new stepdown transformer to replace the failed one at Oghada community; service, or maybe replace faulty transformers and other equipment where necessary.
"From the money outstanding electricity bills owed Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) by the affected communities would be paid off, to boost investors confidence in the area"
Confirming the development to BENDEL Mirror, the Edo NDDC rep explained that the appropriated funds was yet to be approved by the national assembly for any of such project to commence.
"We only put it in the budget; the 2024 budget, so the senate and the house of representatives have not pass the budget, and until we advertise for jobs, before I can authoritatively speak on the matter", Aisowieren told this journalist in a telephone chat, Thursday
Reacting, a legal practitioner, Barrister Moses Edadi noted that, the people of the area would not rely on the information until they see "things on ground" due to unfulfilled promises in the past.
Edadi stressed that Abudu and other affected communities have "suffered" and "struggled" in the last seven years to see to the restoration of electricity, but to no avail hence if actualize, the project would mark as one of the best development in the area.
"We're happy for the news; as I've heard of it anyways, but you know it's a political era, we don't believe on paperwork, we believe in seeing things on ground", Edadi added.
The lack of electricity has crippled socio economic activities in Oza, Iru, Ugbeze, Abudu, Uvbe, Iguomoson, Igbogiri and other surrounding communities connected to the broken down 2.5 KVA electricity transformer, sited at Oghada community, as homes, business centers, courts, healthcare facilities, and others rely mainly on alternative source for power to carry out their activities.
Efforts by the Edo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) to replace the transformer and other failed equipment to further address the situation has been hindered by vandalism and the state government's indifference to the power problem.
However, a source close to the office of Edo state representative in the NDDC, Patrick Aisowieren on Thursday revealed that a financial appropriation has been made in the commission's 2024 budget to reconnect the area back to the national grid.
The source told BENDEL Mirror that Aisowieren has "prioritize the problem with an estimated N250,000,000 appropriated for the project".
According to the source, "The funds would be utilized for the procurement of new stepdown transformer to replace the failed one at Oghada community; service, or maybe replace faulty transformers and other equipment where necessary.
"From the money outstanding electricity bills owed Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) by the affected communities would be paid off, to boost investors confidence in the area"
Confirming the development to BENDEL Mirror, the Edo NDDC rep explained that the appropriated funds was yet to be approved by the national assembly for any of such project to commence.
"We only put it in the budget; the 2024 budget, so the senate and the house of representatives have not pass the budget, and until we advertise for jobs, before I can authoritatively speak on the matter", Aisowieren told this journalist in a telephone chat, Thursday
Reacting, a legal practitioner, Barrister Moses Edadi noted that, the people of the area would not rely on the information until they see "things on ground" due to unfulfilled promises in the past.
Edadi stressed that Abudu and other affected communities have "suffered" and "struggled" in the last seven years to see to the restoration of electricity, but to no avail hence if actualize, the project would mark as one of the best development in the area.
"We're happy for the news; as I've heard of it anyways, but you know it's a political era, we don't believe on paperwork, we believe in seeing things on ground", Edadi added.
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