…Gas distribution project on course
The Oyo State government is targeting 500 megawatts of energy generation before 2027, Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, has revealed, saying that the present administration has been doing everything possible, including putting in place the legal frameworks, policies and infrastructure to achieve the focus.
He explained that the policies of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde in the energy sector have combined to transform the night economy and security of the state in the last few years, through the Oyo State Electricity Regulation Law, the Light-up Oyo Project, the SMART LED Solar Street Light project, the Hybrid Independent Power Project and the provision of mini grids across the state.
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The commissioner, who stated this at the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Ibadan, said that the ministry is focused on institutional reforms and governance; promotion of private-public partnership; developing robust revenue models and developing policies for sustainable energy, which have all resulted in the reduction of energy deficit in the state.
He declared that the proposed Ibadan Gas Distribution Project is well on course, noting that following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Oyo State Government and Shell Nigeria Gas, the state has approached the Nigerian Mainstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for the licence for the project.
The commissioner noted that once the state is able to secure the licence, it will move to complete the project, which will further address the energy deficit in the state.
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He stated that his Ministry’s impact on the energy sector is captured through the Light-up Oyo Project, which second phase covering 223.48km, has been executed up to 75 percent; the provision of mini grids to scores of rural communities across the state and the construction of the first phase of the Hybrid Independent Power Project, which has helped in fully powering the Secretariat.
Other achievements, he noted, include the supply of solar power to about 21 PHCs and provisions and installations of transformers in many communities across the state, among others.
