Okitipupa 132KV power station will be commissioned by President Buhari, NDDC Executive Director Project, Charles Ogunmola assures Ondo State
_…charges the contractor, Benson Obayelu to fast track project_
_”The project is 99.9% completed. I will deliver in the next two weeks if NDDC pays accordingly”- Obayelu_
The Executive Director Project, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Charles Ogunmola on Tuesday led a delegation team to inspect 132KV transmission line and 132/33KV sub station which is being constructed by the Commission in Okitipupa, Okitipupa LG, Ondo State, to cover about five local government areas.
Arrival of the NDDC, EDP-led delegation team to Omotosho electric energy power station
Okitipupa 132 KV sub power station
This is done In a bid to put an end to electricity black out in Ondo South Senatorial District.
Coastal Renaissance correspondence gathered that the inspection was purposely to access the level of the project completion by the Contractor.
The delegation team was led by the NDDC Executive Director Project, Mr. Charles Ogunmola including NDDC Board Member representing Ondo State, Hon. Barr. Olugbenga Edema, Engr. Onwo Nelson, Director, PMS ,Port Harcourt, Engr. Uno. O .Uno, Director, UIDW, Port Harcourt, Mr. Eddie Gordon Okeya, Director, CRD PH;
Barr. Salami Olaniyi Okogie, Director Ondo State office amongst others.
The delegation team had earlier visited Omotosho Electric energy Company limited, Omotosho in Okitipupa LG where Engr. A.R. Olorunshola and Engr. Ogbuele directed the delegation team to inspect the step down lines allocated to Okitipupa power sub station as they further assured that the connection of Okitipupa sub station to Omotosho power step down will take just only one day.
After a brief visitation to Omotosho power station, the delegation team then moved to the Okitipupa power sub station, where the consultant to Steady Engineering Limited in charge of the project, Engr. Olaniyi Oladele directed the delegation team and took them round the step down units and control room to see the level of completion.
While speaking, the Consultant, Engr. Oladele told the delegation team that the project is 99.9% completed, and that, the project will be delivered in the next two weeks if the Commission (NDDC) is actually ready for Commissioning.
The Contractor, MD Steady Engineering Limited, Sir Benson Obayelu confirmed that the project has been completed and subsequently undergoing testing processes, he also reiterated that the project will delivered in the next two weeks, if NDDC pays his company accordingly. He further stressed the need for NDDC to get BEDC’s final approval for proper connection to Omotosho power station.
For the spirit of oneness and security, Sir Obayelu made emotional case for Erinje people as host community and appealed to the NDDC to consider the community while distributing the electricity supply to other communities.
Sir Obayelu also made public clarification, noting that only 2 fielders out of 6 fielders available were awarded to his company – Steady Engineering Limited, and that the remaining 4 Fielders are there for BEDC and State Government to develop.
“At this Junction, I must let the people know the status of the project being awarded to my company. Only 2 fielders out of the 6 fielders available were awarded to my company – Steady Engineering Limited. The remaining 4 fielders are there for BEDC and State Government to develop, but if NDDC still has financial enablement, then, the commission can go ahead to award more fielders for the benefit of the people.”
“I appeal to the NDDC to consider Erinje community for the electricity supply as host community”. Obayelu said.
In his reaction, The Executive Director Project NDDC, Mr. Charles Ogunmola said the power supply project must be commissioned before the end quarter of 2023, stressing that NDDC is ready to restore light to the Niger Delta coast line of Ondo State and also want the Project Commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari soon as possible.
Executive Director Project, NDDC, Mr. Charles Ogunmola granting interview
“We are looking for projects across the 9 Niger Delta states which had been awarded by our predecessors that need low cost to be completed and Okitipupa power station is one of them to be considered, more so that I am from Ondo State, so the project is more important to me. Our people must finally get out of black out that has befallen them for the past 13 years”. Ogunmola said.
The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN ably represented by Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Rasaq Obe, said Akeredolu is committed to welfarism of the Ondo South people, assuring that Ondo South will say byebye to darkness soon.
The delegation team also visited NDDC office in Igbokoda, Ilaje LG area of Ondo State to see the challenges facing the office and the staff.
The NDDC Director, Ondo State Office, Barr. Salami Olaniyi Okogie, thanked the Executive Director Project, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, Board Member representing Ondo State, Barr. Olugbenga Edema, Engr. Onwo Nelson, Director, PMS, Port Harcourt, Engr. Uno . O .Uno, Director, UIDW, Port Harcourt, Mr. Eddie Gordon Okeya, Director, CRD PH;
all the NDDC officials and stakeholders for ensuring that the lost glory of Ondo South is brought back.
He also appreciated the Contractor, Sir Benson Obayelu for his hardworking spirit and effectiveness over the project. He then charged him to deliver as promised.
“We are hoping that the project will be delivered by and contractor and consequently commissioned by the Federal Government soon” Okogie said.
NDDC top officials from Ondo State office who received and accompanied the delegation were Engr. Benson Karaki, Assistant Director UIDW; Engr. Bamidele Obele, Assistant Director PMS; Dr. Omosayo David, Principal Manager Corporate Affairs and Mr. Olumide Olorunlana, Principal Manager, CRD.
Some noble leaders who welcomed and accompanied the NDDC delegation were Hon. Goke Jatuwase, Chairman Ilaje Local Government; Hon. Funso Esan, former Commissioner for Environment, Ondo State; Hon. Nimbe Tawose, Federal Board Member, Teaching Hospital Oyo; Hon. Fayowole Aworetan, SA to EDP, Hon. Otito Atikase, former Chairman, Ilaje Local Government, Mr. Ola Omotehinse amongst others.
