The Federal Government has commenced steps to install $8m (about N3bn) 1x60MVA, 132/33KV transmission sub-station in Oro in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The project is expected to transform the lives of the people of Oro in particular and the entire local government area in general.
Speaking while performing the ground-breaking ceremony of the project in Oro on Thursday, the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the power substation, expected to be completed in 18 months, came with five kilometres turn-in-turn-out Offa-Omu-Aran, 132KV double circuit transmission lines.
The minister, who described the project as a game changer, said that it was approved by the Federal Executive Council on December 21, 2022.
The project will lead to improved power supply to Oro and its environs, boost economic activities in these areas, especially for artisans and small and large medium scale businesses, and enhance the social development of the people,” he said,.
He also implored people of Oro to see the project as their own and to jealously protect it.
He said, “We must not disturb the contractor under any guise so that he can deliver the work within the stipulated time. All hands must be on deck to provide all the necessary support for the quick completion of the job.”
“Of course, our support must not be for this project alone. We must continue to own and protect similar recent projects in this area including the tarred intra-city roads at Oro, the ICT Centres at Oro Grammar School and Offa Grammar School, as well as the 80 bed modern hospitals at Oro and Igbaja. These projects, which are dividends of democracy, are aimed at enhancing the quality of life of our people.
“I want to say that there are more from where these projects came from. Therefore, I implore you all to continue to support our party at all levels so that we can in turn continue to deliver to you the
dividends of democracy. This is the essence of governance.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Dr Sule Abdulaziz, said that the Oro project was one of the Federal Government’s projects executed by TCN towards achieving mandate of making reliable and quality bulk electricity available for DisCos to distribute to customers of electricity.
He said, “When completed, the substation will serve over 178,610 people spread across Oro and Irepodun Local Government Areas and environs. Oro people are known for their relentless resolve for entrepreneurship and self-empowerment. The new substation project will help boost the socio-economic well-being of the people.”
The TCN boss also said that the 132/133KV Oro substation had been carefully designed by team of engineers to provide additional electricity requirements for the area with room for expansion to meet future electricity needs.
He said, “No doubt, the provision of quality and reliable electricity supply will help accelerate the socio-economic development of Oro town, Kwara state, and Nigeria at large.