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WOLE BALOGUN, Ado Ekiti
The commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities in Ekiti State , Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, has urged the Transmission of Nigeria(TCN) to build the 330kv power substation in the state as a matter of right, to shore up electricity supply.
The commissioner said the state has begun partnership with some agencies for the laying of 2,000 kilometres fibreoptics for improved internet connectivity across Ekiti.
He said the fact that Ekiti was the only state being denied the 330kva substation facility, was a great Injustice , since some other states like Osun, Kogi and Lagos are having more than one each.
Faparusi said lack of the facility has caused acute supply of electricity of 20 megawatts to Ekiti from the national grid, instead of the required 200 megawatts that could stabilise the economy.
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Faparusi said Power is key to any economic development, saying the government is engaging the TCN and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on how to overcome the challenges of low electricity supply and arbitrary billing .
“We are having challenges because we have no full control of how electricity is supplied, it is private driven. The focus of the discos is to make profits, but we have to be fair to our people as well.
“One major bottleneck we have identified has been inadequate allocation of power from national grid .We are getting 20mgwatts which is grossly inadequate to distribute to the people. The BEDC has been sharing the little
“We are requesting the TCN to build 330kv power substation in Ekiti. Some states have more than one. Only Ekiti lacks the facility . We consider this an injustice. With this, we won’t be taking light from other neighboring states”.
Faparusi added that the government has been working hard for the distribution of potable water across Ekiti.
He said efforts are also being intensified to banish open defecation out of the state , saying the government has started building toilet facilities across the 16 local government areas.
“We are rehabilitating Ero and Egbe Dams to full capacities to supply water to 14 local governments. We are also delivering 250 kilometres of pipelines across Ado Ekiti metropolis in partnership with European Union and World bank. We are also extending pipelines from Ado to Ifaki Ekiti.
He said the Ministry has developed a roadmap to stop open defecation in Ekiti state , saying : “the practice has to stop because it pollutes underground water and this can cause health issue”, he said.
