…commissions more electrification projects in tural areas
Sequel to reported cases of vandalism of electricity installations that triggered power outage in some communities in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has charged citizens to deploy internal security and vigilance in checking activities of vandals, who are destroying state and national assets.
Gov. Oyebanji said while the security agencies are performing their statutory duties of protecting the valuable assets, communities should look inwards and complement such efforts through internal security measures that could checkmate perpetrators of their nefarious acts.
The Governor gave the charge in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, while inaugurating electrification projects at Idi-Aagba along Ilawe road and New Maryland Avenue along NTA Road , as part of activities commemorating the third anniversary of his administration.
Addressing the ecstatic residents of the two Ado Ekiti satellite towns, Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, promised to connect many communities to the national power grid to spur economic and business activities, as well as aide security of lives and property.
The Governor pointed out that the citizens could attest to the fact that his administration places premium value on electrification projects, which accounted for why over 40 towns were reconnected back to national power grid at the advent of his government.
Essentially, Governor Oyebanji urged the benefiting communities to be circumspect of the activities of vandals, who had succeeded in immersing some towns in darkness after looting their electricity installations, or destroyed them while perpetrating their nefarious actions.
Governor Oyebanji said regular power supply remains the best way to power the growth of local economy and enhance development of small and medium scale enterprises through which unemployment and the attendant poverty rate can be alleviated among the populace.
Besides employment generation and boosting of the growth of businesses, Gov. Oyebanji noted that provision of electricity to any environment will bolster nightlife whereby traders, hoteliers, Okada Riders and other business owners can operate till late in the night without harassment or any threat of insecurity.
“It is also an established fact that a well illuminated environment can help in checkmating the activities of robbers, cultists, thieves and perpetrators of evils in our society.
“On these premises, I want to charge the residents of this area, particularly the landlords’ association and the youth to take ownership of these electricity accessories by preventing them from being vandalized by evil men in the society.
“There have been reported cases of electricity installation theft and vandalism, but with you forming an internal security measures, you can prevent these from happening and you can as well enjoy the durability of these facilities that have been provided by this government to make lives more comfortable for you and add modernity to where you reside”, he said.
Speaking at the separate events, the Technical Advisor on Power Infrastructures, Engr. Philip Atere, said the residents of the area were using solar system and generating sets before now, which was gravely hazardous to their wellbeing.
Atere, who regretted the harrowing experiences of residents not privileged to savour electricity supplies, revealed that a total of 13 more electrification projects are ongoing around the state, with 11 domiciled in Ado Ekiti capital city to reinforce electricity supply.
The Technical Advisor stated that the governor has succeeded in removing bottlenecks hindering possession of prepaid Meters, urging the residents to visit the office of the Ekiti State Electricity Regulation Agency and purchase theirs to remove the burden of estimated billings.
“These projects were already completed and energised for immediate use. About 13 electrification projects are ongoing in Ekiti State and soon, another electrification project will be done between Ita Ore and Okemesi Ekiti. No governor in history has matched Governor Oyebanji’s investment in electrification projects.
“Idi-Aagba and Maryland Avenue’s electrification projects are on 33 KVA and with this, Benin Electricity Distribution Company has no control over your light, you are directly connected to the national grid, not on 11KVA. But ensure that you get your Meters, so that you can pay for what you use”.
Eulogising the governor, the Chairman of the Idi-Aagba Landlords association, Mr Babalola Michael, said the area has been in darkness for 15 years, which has now been resolved, promising that the electorate in the satellite towns will reciprocate the gesture with bountiful votes are n 2026.
“Within this short time that the project started, people have started trooping in here to buy lands and build more houses. Business has started growing and we know that what the governor has done will automatically add value to our lives”.
Last modified: October 25, 2025
