The Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,Engr. Razaq Obe,has announced the Ondo State government’s plans to utilize the state’s natural gas reserves by converting petrol vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), promoting the switch from firewood to cooking gas, and partnering with the private sector to drive a sub national electricity market, in order to protect the citizens of Ondo from fluctuations in petrol pump price increase.
Engr. Obe, made this known in a special discussion with our reporter at Ondo Invest 2.0, tagged : Developing Ondo State” which was held in Akure, the State capital between July 24 and July 26, 2023, which he described as a road map to unlocking prosperity of the state.
Speaking on the general objective of the summit, the Energy Commissioner who doubles as the Chairman, Develop Ondo 2:0, Local Organising Committee, said that one of the key areas that the Akeredolu’s administration is focused on is ensuring energy solutions in all its dimension for the benefit of all the citizens of the State.
Engr. Obe, expressed that Governor Akeredolu has implemented sustainability plans to ensure the long-term success of all projects initiated by his administration, with a focus on private sector involvement. This, according to him, is aimed at driving development and growth in the energy and mineral resources sectors, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the government and the people to address energy challenges.
He said, “Energy access passes through a spectrum of phases which includes electricity and means of fuel, especially in the transition from use of charcoal and firewood to LPG as cooking. We talk about the PMS and how you power all the electronics in your homes, industry and the like.
Engr. Obe stated that prior to Governor Akeredolu’s administration, there was no Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which resulted in a lack of an administrative framework to address challenges in the energy sector. He added that a gas-centric Ministry was created with the right level of people to manage it.
According to him, there was a transmission substation in Akure that had been stranded for years due to the bureaucracy involved in clearing the Right of Way (RoW) for transmission lines.
The Ministry addressed the RoW issues from Osogbo to Akure, and the substation is now 90% completed. This will provide greater access to electricity for residents of Akure all the way to Owo. The Ministry also completed the leg work required to get the Erinje substation into completion, which has been 100% completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“When the two substations come on stream, there will be a dramatic change in power supply in the state. The 330kVa line connecting the state will improve electricity supply from about 55 MW to more than 100%, transmitted and deployed to Akure and Ondo and shared between Ondo and Ekiti States.
“This means that citizens will not be forced to shed electricity in Ijoka for Ijagbo, as there will be enough power to be distributed.
“The over 15 years electricity crisis in Ondo South is expected to end soon, as over 140 kilometres of transmission towers have been installed and connected from Omotosho power station to Erinje, solving about 99% of the problems involved.
According to Engr Obe, the Governor Akeredolu has allocated a significant increase in budgetary provision to address the energy sector in the state.
Obe stated that after the inauguration of the Erinje power project, the next step would be to allocate more funds towards the procurement and supply of over 100 distribution transformers.
He said, “Additionally, there are plans to overhaul all the substations and injection stations in areas such as Ese Odo, Ilaje, Okitipupo, Erele.