EKITI 132/33 KVA SUBSTATION BECOMES OPERATIONAL

By Lere Olayinka

The 132/33KVA substation in Ado-Ekiti was finally activated today 34 years after the commencement of the project.

Speaking at the ceremony witnessed by members of he State Executive Council and the Ewi-in Council , Governor Segun Oni who was represented by his Deputy , Dr Sikiru Lawal said the activation of the substation would guarantee improved power supply and boost economic activities in the state.

He disclosed that apart from ensuring the completion of the project his administration had paid over N500 million as compensation to people whose properties were affected by 132KVA lines along the Akure ,Ijare, Iju Ita-Ogbolu Ikere and Ado-Ekiti axis.

Oni also disclosed that for the 132/33 substation to have the expected multiplier effect Government was putting in place two 15MVA injection substations in Ado-Ekiti and one each in Ijero, Oye and Ise.

He said about 300 electricity transformers would be supplied to all towns and villages in the state under the Federal Government Independent Power Project (IPP) with a view to improving distribution of electricity in the state.

While stating that the 132/33 KVA substation project was among projects to be commissioned during the proposed visit of President Goodluck Jonathan before the end of the year, Oni said the Omisanjana / Ajebandele road linking the substation with the state capital would be constructed before the end of the year.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti , Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe expressed joy that the project which had been a campaign issue for politicians in the last 20 years had finally been completed.

With the switching-on of the 132/33 KVA sub-station, Ekiti State has now been connected directly to the national grid for the first time.