By
Hamzat Hammed
Media industry is the intermediary between the government and populace, the quality of information at the disposal of journalists and adequate reportage will form the yardsticks of measuring government performance.
In line with this background, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Seun Ashamu (TNA) on Tuesday, 31st October, 2023 played a host of New Media men from different platforms at his expansive office.
The essence of the media parley was to relate with new Media men in attendance about the frantic efforts made by the Ministry since it was created by visionary governor Seyi Makinde under OmiTuntun 1.0.
Hon. Ashamu, a soft-spoken with reservoir of knowledge took the new media men through about the impact the Ministry has been making since he assumed office.
Hon. Ashamu made clarification in the discussion that lasted hours that the Energy comprised of power, oil and gas contrary to the believe that the Ministry is basically about light up project.
Ashamu spoke further about the projects embarked upon by the Ministry. He listed light up project with 124 sub-stations, Independent Power Plant (IPP), mini grid under which 24 communities were illuminated, equipping 23 Primary Health Centres with solar, gas project with Shell company among others.
Hon. Ashamu maintained throughout the conversation that his greatest joy is anchored on the impact the project executed so far and yet to be executed will have on state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) security and economy He stressed that Governor Makinde led government is trying to make Oyo State investment destination most especially in Ibadan corridors connecting Ogun State.
While feeding questions from journalists, Ashamu narrated the logistics issue the ministry under him do encounter in responding to quick issue raised majorly on light. He lamented hoe reckless drivers do spoil light up poles and get away with it.
While promising to amplify his commitment under OmiTuntun 2.0, he assured all residents of Oyo State that more dividend of democracy coming once the state can generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
Hon. Ashamu maintained that mineral resources is on exclusive list, he assured that Oyo State will benefit immensely from tapping of the minerals as the owner of the land through employment generation, IGR among others.
