ONDO GOVT APPROVES $1.6M HYDROPOWER PROJECT, 7.5MW GAS PLANT

… as EXCO ratifies 21 infrastructure projects, approves counterpart funding for Owena water scheme

The Ondo State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved a $1.6 million United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Small Hydropower Project at the Owena Dam and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to power government facilities across the state.

The approvals were among far-reaching decisions taken at the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, presided over by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

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The council also approved the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, ratified 21 infrastructure projects, approved counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project, and confirmed two traditional rulers.

Speaking on the energy sector, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi, said the 350-kilowatt hydropower project would be funded through a UNIDO grant, while the state government would provide a 30 per cent counterpart contribution.

“The 350-kilowatt small hydropower will be built with a grant from UNIDO and the state is expected to put a 30 per cent counterpart fund into it,” he said.

He also announced the approval of a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to be sited at the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters to provide electricity for government facilities across the state.

“The essence of that plant is to power all government facilities in Ondo State. We will no longer rely on BEDC or rely on generators anymore. The project has about five months to be completed and after five months it will be commissioned for the use of Ondo State,” he said.

On his part, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, said the council ratified about 21 projects previously awarded across the state’s local government areas.

The projects ratified by the council include the construction of Okela–NYSC Camp–Federal Technical College Road, Ikare-Akoko and construction of 27 units of four-bedroom terrace buildings for members of the legislature.

On traditional institutions, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, announced the ratification of the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatusin Richard as the new Onisupare of Supare-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area among others.

He also disclosed that the Executive Council approved the appointment of Prince Tayo Ajisegiri as the new Olujigba of Ijigba in Akure South Local Government Area, describing Governor Aiyedatiwa as “a man who believes in grassroots development.”

Also briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Elder Ayodele Akande, said the Executive Council approved the state’s counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project sourced from the multipurpose Owena Dam in Igbara-Oke.

According to Akande, “The donor agencies have played their own part. Likewise, the state government has now graciously approved the set amount so that the project will not stop and within the timeline it will be completed.”

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, said the duration of the meeting reflected the significance of the decisions reached.

“If you look at the length of time that was spent, you will know that far-reaching decisions have been taken pertaining to the development of Ondo State, ranging from the area of infrastructure to health, to legal reforms, and more importantly, to the local government,” he said.

Highlighting the administration’s commitment to grassroots development, Ajanaku said: “When you build a family, you build a community. When you build a community, you build a town. When you build a town, you build a state. And that is exactly what we are doing.”

On education, Ajanaku announced the approval of the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.