From Ekundayo Idowu, Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that an Independent Power Plant that will provide 24-hour of uninterrupted electricity to most parts of Abeokuta, the state capital will be ready for commissioning in the next eight weeks.

Abiodun stated this after inspecting the 30 Megawatts power plant located in Onijanganjangan, near Ewekoro.

He noted that the project, which is in collaboration with private sector partners, is the first phase of the Ogun State Light Up Project.

According to the governor, the project is in line with his promise to provide uninterrupted power supply to major cities and towns across the state.

He said: “What we are doing today is to witness the first phase of the implementation of our Ogun State Light Up Project. The first phase of this project is the 30 Megawatts power generation that will take care of Abeokuta.

“Abeokuta Metropolis will require more than 30 Megawatts, but this is the first phase of the planned 100 Megawatts power generation capacity. I have gone around and have taken note of the progress of work so far.

“I have seen the control room, I have seen the turbines, and I have seen what will be responsible for ensuring that the gas is compressed. We have seen the gas pipelines that will be completed in three to six weeks. The gas compressor is there, and there is a diesel tank as well.

“I am quite excited, and I am sure that by the grace of God, in the next eight weeks, you will be here with me to commission this plant to the glory of God and for the use of those who live in Abeokuta.

“I can assure you that once this has been achieved, though we may not be able to supply power to the whole of Abeokuta, substantial parts of the city will now enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply, and that will be unprecedented in the history of Ogun State.”

Abiodun, who was impressed with the high quality of work done at the site, observed that the plant, apart from using compressed gas as its main fuel, would also make use of diesel as a backup in case of disruption in the supply of gas.

“We believe that between two to three weeks, we will begin soft commissioning using diesel while the gas pipelines are being extended to this place. We estimate that between six to eight weeks, the first phase of this power plant will be completed and ready for commissioning,” the governor assured.

The power plant, the governor emphasized, would provide constant electricity to government institutions like offices, health facilities, government quarters, police stations, local government offices, and higher institutions, and would eventually cascade to private individuals and industries when the capacity is increased.

He said the state decided to go into power generation, distribution, and transmission as a result of its removal from the exclusive list by the federal government, assuring that similar plants would be built in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, and Ota.

The Ogun State House of Assembly, the governor stated, has passed into law the setting up of the Ogun State Electricity Regulatory Commission to oversee all the activities of the power sector in Ogun State, adding that the agency is to provide oversight to anyone who wants to go into the power business in the state.

Speaking, the Project Manager, Selvin Leo, said the project is 90 percent completed, assuring that with the availability of needed materials, equipment, and commitment from the workers, the job would be completed in record time.