In a bid to develop the state’s energy sector, Oyo state government has pledged to partner all relevant stakeholders to develop and implement more projects in the state.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barr. Seun Ashamu said the state government in order to ensure sustainability of the ongoing power projects in the state, has signed an agreement with a gas company to extend gas pipeline infrastructure to the state.
Hon. Ashamu stated this while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Institution of Power Engineers (NIPE) and Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) in his office.
The commissioner, appreciated the leadership of the two institutions for identifying with the ministry, stating that since he assumed office over two years ago, he has been engaging all relevant stakeholders including the Society of Engineers and Disco, to ensure effective collaboration.
Barr. Ashamu attributed the achievements recorded by his ministry so far to the support being given by the state’s governor, ‘Seyi Makinde on various identifiable projects implemented by the ministry.
He appreciated the governor for believing in his vision to be able to execute and implement all the ideas placed before him.
While highlighting some of the projects embarked upon by the ministry, the commissioner noted that the ministry is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring and improving the state’s energy security and its availability, while also ensuring that the state’s mineral resources are exploited in a responsible way.
Speaking on the Light-up Oyo Project, Ashamu explained that the project has two streams- the conventional lighting and solar street lighting, noting that under conventional, about 300km public lighting have been deployed, while about 600 out 1500 solar street lights have been deployed so far.
The commissioner added that the focus on solar street light is to illuminate places at night especially, markets, palaces and hospitals.
As regards the extension of power grid programme, the commissioner disclosed it is another project from the ministry to connect all transformers that public funds have been expended on to the national grid and to solidify collaboration with Transmission Company of Nigeria to build more feeder substations in the state.
He noted that work is currently ongoing in connection with federal government to have more substations in Oyo, Saki and Ibadan.
Barr. Ashamu, therefore, urged the two institutions to join hands with the state government to develop it, stating the readiness of government to work with resident engineers to develop local content policies that will improve the state’s energy sector.
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