Date: 2010-12-02

No fewer than 445 communities had been electrified across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State in the ongoing state-wide rural electrification project.

The State Governor, Dr Bukola disclosed this on Tuesday at Ogundele Village in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state during an interactive forum with the various benefiting communities.

Speaking at the occassino, Dr Saraki said government had procured thousands of transformers to enhance the rural electrification project of the state government, which he said had improved the economic wellbeing of the communities.

The governor, who also revealed that 100 additional communities would soon be connected to the National grid, lamented that over N500 billion was being spent annually across the country to buy diesel, pointing out that indigenes of the state also spent about N1.5billion to power their generators.

He disclosed further that the amount spent on diesel had reduced considerably with the completion and energizing of the Independent Power Project (NIPP) at Ganmo, which had improved power supply in the state.

This problem Saraki said could only be addressed with the provision of electricity by government and assured that if elected the country’s president come 2011, he would vigorously address the issue of power and other problems militating against the nation’s rapid development.

His words: "If I become the president of Nigeria, the issue of electricity will be my top most priority. I am going to address the problem with the aim of encouraging the springing up of industries in every nook and crannies of the country.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed had disclosed that about 85 communities were electrified by the previous administration prior to 2003 when the present administration came on board.

With the electrification of over 400 communities by the Saraki-led administration, the commissioner said nearly about 70% of the rural communities in the state had been covered.

He explained that the government is working round the clock to ensure immediate completion of additional 10 sub-stations to further boost electricity supply across the State.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ogundele/Atere communities, Alhaji Abubakar Aremu commended the present administration for embarking on the rural electrification project.

Alhaji Aremu noted with satisfaction that the electrification of the communities had boosted their business transactions.

He disclosed that indigenes of the communities who were artisans and had travelled out before had been coming back home to settle down due to the connection of the communities to the National grid.

Said he: "most of our sons and daughters that abandon their artisan work for Okada riding had now come back fully to their work".

Also speaking, a representative of Lubcon Nigeria limited said the recent electrification project had saved the company over N10million hitherto expended on diesel monthly.

In his contribution, a representative of Heritage Water Company praised the State government for its initiative, saying the electrification project had increased the company’s production.

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
02/10/2010