By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has faulted the indictment of the Federal Government by the Oyo State House of Assembly on the state of power supply in the state, specifically in Ibarapa zone of the state.
He said their action was a fallout of alleged ignorance and bias. He spoke at the weekend, at the end of a meeting with the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and other stakeholders on the way forward to improve power supply in Oyo State and other states within the firm’s jurisdiction.
Adelabu said Oyo State government had done nothing to assist the Federal Government with the liberalisation and decentralisation of the power sector, following the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023 into law by President Bola Tinubu, which empowers state governments to also generate electricity.
He disclosed that Ibarapa zone of the state would start enjoying steady electricity supply with the ongoing projects in the area.
The Minister insisted that the indictment of the Federal Government on the state of power supply by the Oyo State Assembly was strictly out of political bias.
He said they were well aware that the power sector had been liberalised and decentralized, following the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023 into law by President Tinubu.
“All levels of governments are now allowed to play their role from the Federal Government to the states and local governments.
“They are all charged to make sure they extend electricity to their people as part of their electoral promises,” he said.
He said though Oyo State had passed the electricity bill and the electricity regulatory agency bill, the government had not done anything beyond that over the years.
He added: “They have never lifted a finger to support the Federal Government to ensure that Oyo State indigenes and residents enjoy uninterrupted and reliable electricity.
“The only power project they have, the 11KV diesel power project at the secretariat is moribund, after they spent billions of Oyo State fund on it. It has never produced a kilowatt of energy for Oyo State residents.
“So, they do not have the moral right to condemn activities of the Federal Government. This is because we have done a lot for Oyo State and the benefits will be seen in a couple of months.”
Adelabu said the Federal Government had set up over 20 projects to boost power supply in Oyo State, saying some of them had been completed and some are ongoing, while new ones are being introduced.
He also said the Federal Government was addressing the issue of electricity in Ibarapa.
“We are addressing the issue of electricity in Ibarapa zone which consists of Ibarapa East, Central and the North. We have a number of projects ongoing. Some of them have been completed and the supply of power has increased a bit, but we believe they deserved more than that.
“We just completed high voltage wires from Eruwa to Lanlate to Idere, which have improved supply,” he disclosed.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Adelabu.
