Abandonment of 132KV Transmission Power Station in Okitipupa: GPBI, Ondo Ex-militants warn NDDC Interim Administrator, Effiong Akwa and Contractor to stop frustrating President Buhari’s effort

Abandonment of 132KV Transmission Power Station in Okitipupa: GPBI, Ondo Ex-militants warn NDDC Interim Administrator, Effiong Akwa and Contractor to stop frustrating President Buhari’s effort

An anti-corruption organization, Great Patriots’ for Better Initiative (GPBI) and ex-militants in Ondo State have warned the NDDC Interim Administrator, Effiong Akwa and the Contractor, Stedy Engineering & Construction Company to stop frustrating President Buhari’s effort in ensuring that electricity is restored to the good people of oil producing areas of Ondo State and Ondo South at large.

You would recall that the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa assured the good people of Ondo State quick completion of the N6billion 132KV transmission power station and 132/33KV sub station, which is being constructed in Igodan-Lisa along Erinje road, Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State.

Mr. Effiong Akwa made the promised when he inspected the project in Okitipupa sometime in April 2021. While addressing, he assured the good people of oil producing areas and Ondo State that the remaining funds would be released for the quick completion of the project within 2 months starting from the day of inspection – 29th April, 2021. Coastal Renaissance reporter was in attendance.

However, it is painful and disheartening to see that nothing is progressing at the site till date despite the promise of the NDDC boss.

In the view of the above, the Great Patriots’ for Better Initiative (GPBI), ex-militants and good people of Niger Delta areas of Ondo State are calling on President Buhari and EFCC to investigate the NDDC Interim Administrator and the Contractor over the abandonment of the project.

“We want to know who is actually responsible for the abandonment of the project between the NDDC boss and the Contractor”

The spokesman of Ex-militants in Ondo State under the leadership of Gen. Job Omotuwa who also doubles as Head of Monitoring team of Great Patriots’ for Better Initiative, Comrade Niyi Majofodun told Coastal Renaissance reporter that the groups have concluded plan to stage a heavy protest at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt to know who is actually responsible for the frustration of President Buhari’s efforts in ensuring that electricity is restored to the oil producing areas of Ondo State and Ondo South at large. They also threatened to strike if the project is abandoned by NDDC, stressing that the Commission is funding projects in other Niger Delta States neglecting Ondo State.

Comrade Majofodun said the peaceful protest is purposely to express the pains people are passing through for the past 12 years of black out in Ondo South. And also to be sure if the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr. Effiong Akwa has actually paid the contractor as promised or not.

The power station is to supply electricity to five local governments – Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele and Odigbo in the southern part of Ondo State.

The project was inspected on Thursday, 29th April, 2021 at about 3:30pm by the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa in accompany with the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his Deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, State Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Chairman House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Ondo State Secretary, Princess Oladunni Odu.

Others were former Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Funso Esan, Ondo State Commissioners, 11 NDDC Directors and stakeholders from Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments.

Speaking during the inspection, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr. Effiong Akwa, said he was excited that the Commission was constructing a huge power station in the oil-producing area of Ondo state. He further stated that it was one of the key projects NDDC is proud of among the 9 Niger Delta States.

The NDDC boss assured that more funds would be made available to the contractor within two months starting from the day of inspection, to guarantee early completion of the project. He also commended the effort of the indigenous contractor, Mr. Benson Obayelu, for his commitment and determination to complete the project in no distant time and deliver same for use.

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who also spoke in the same direction commended the NDDC, expressed delight that over 2,000 oil-producing communities spread across five local government areas of the southern part of Ondo State will benefit from the laudable project, noting that the area has been in black out for over 12 years. Akeredolu also commended Mr. Effiong Akwa for creating time out of known and personally appear to inspect the project, noting that the visit offered him the opportunity to see how far the contractor has gone on the project

“For us, this is the most important project NDDC is executing in Ondo State. If you deliver this project, you will have delivered the whole of Ondo South from the pains of lack of public power supply. All of us will be happy with you and the economy of the area, which had been crippled for many years, will begin to boom.”