Senator seeks intervention over 15 years blackout in Ondo South district
*Senate urges NDDC to complete electrification project
Tunde Opalana, Abuja
The senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, Sen. Nicholas Olubukola Tofowomo on Tuesday sought parliamentary intervention on the 15 blackout and total neglect of the people of his senatorial district.
Coming under Senate Order 42 and 52 during plenary, the lawmaker drew the attention of his colleagues to the need restoration of electricity supply in Okitipupa, Ilaje Ese Odo, Irele and Odigbo local governments, all in Ondo South senatorial district.
He urged the Senate:tote the unfortunate situation in his senatorial district in Ondo State where 90 percent of his people have been deprived of electricity power supply since 2007 which is about 14 years of uninterrupted darkness.
He said “the situation is embarrassing and despicable because I continue to wonder if Ondo South is part of Nigeria because suffering from electricity blackout for about 14 years has grounded many economic activities in the district.
“Concerned that a Senatorial district suffering from electricity power supply generates Electricity in Omotosho Power plant in Okitipupa Local Government with a capacity of 512.8MW and 451MW Net since 2005, without the people from the Local Government and a large percentage of people from Ondo South benefiting from the distribution.
“Further note, that Intervention came in 2012, about 9 years ago by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when a contract of 132KV transmission and 132KV/33KVsubstation and line was awarded in Okitipupa Local Government. As at today 85 percent of the job has been completed and all the 145 Transmission Line Towers from Omotosho Power Station to the Sub Station has been completed.
Emphasises that the Substation outstanding works remain 15 percent which can be accomplished without delay if all the necessary machineries are put in place, the substation can be ready for transmission to the federal feeders in Irele, Odigbo, Ilaje,Ese-Odo and Okitipupa Local Governments.
The Senate therefore appreciate the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) for taking up the responsibility of installing a transmission substation in Okitipupa Local Government that would supply the electricity of Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele and Odigbo Local Governments.
Appeal to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete the remaining 15 percent within the shortest possible time so that electricity power supply would be available before the end of the year.
