Oyo State commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barr. Seun Ashamu has explained that the state government has been able to light-up 24 unserved communities across the state.
Ashamu while chatting with newsmen in Ibadan made this revelation further that many people do not really understand the mandate of the ministry, hence the negative vibes and comments going all around about the ministry and many of her projects.
The commissioner while responding to questions relating to the street light project under the ‘Light-up oyo’ said, “I have been explaining this often and often, and it is important again to re-explained so you can help to inform the general public further about the project. Light-up Oyo was not primarily designed for diesel. And as a matter of fact, it was not in any way.”
“The project was a little bit affected by the global movement restriction during the period of COVID-19 pandemic. And that definitely affected the delivery of instruments to initiate and power the gas-oriented street light in Oyo state. As you know, we have commenced the process, we cannot hold it needlessly for the delivery of the instruments blocked by COVID-19 pandemic.”
“At that, the company handling the project sought and presented to us the alternative to the project pending the time those machines will be delivered. And let me further state this that, the government of the state did not pay a dime for the diesel, it was solely responsible for by the company.” He added.
Ashamu while reacting further explained the true position of things at present and that more than half of the generating units powering the streetlights have been switched back to gas because machines for such have been delivered since.
“You can all go and investigate further if many of those generators are still working at night while those lights are on.” He charged Oyo residents.
“Back to the 24 communities. Those are the communities that have never been served. Not that they had electricity and were underserved. In fact, there have not been any traceable electricity poles or poles in those communities.”
“The Oyo state government has been successfully light-up those communities with average of 10,000 residents through the solar-power project initiative of the government.” He concluded.
