By Ayodele Oni
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has updated residents of Southern part of Ondo State which has been cut off national grid for close to 15 years that repair work on the electrification is nearing completion.
Commissioner representing Ondo state on the NDDC board, Otito Atikase, in a statement on Wednesday stated that the NDDC has been hard at work in the past few months to restore electricity to the southern region of Ondo State that has perpetually remained in pitch darkness for over fifteen years now.
Atikase, in a statement by his media aide, Rotimi Oyeneyin, explained that “One significant milestone achieved is the completion and energization of the 132KV Transmission Line from Omotosho, coupled with the establishment of the 132KV/33KV Substation at Erinje, Okitipupa Local Government.
“These vital components of the project, undertaken and wholly funded by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) now stand as spotlights of progress, bringing steady electricity to the substation and its surrounding areas.
“However, the journey towards full electrification does not end here. Recognizing the interconnectedness of the distribution network, the NDDC has embarked on a rehabilitation of the inter-distribution network of the communities within reach.
“The awarding of the Erinje project, extending from Okitipupa to Igbokoda and down to Ugbonla, underscores the commitment to ensuring seamless electricity distribution to every neighbourhood.
“With this phase set to conclude in a matter of weeks, the vision of comprehensive electrification edges closer to fruition. Other things being equal, the project is expected to be inaugurated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April,2024.”
According to the commissioner, NDDC has taken proactive steps by formally notifying the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of the handover of the substation.
“The tentative date for this significant event has been earmarked for the 26th of March, 2024, marking a historic moment in the project’s timeline.
“It is noteworthy that the Ondo State government has no role to play thus far in the project implementation, as the present focus remains on addressing the high-tension aspects of the electrification process.
“However, as the project progresses towards low-tension implementation, the state government’s role in providing meters and other ancillary needs to households will become increasingly vital.
“This thus presupposes that we haven’t at this material time reached the stage where the Ondo State government has a key role to play in the electrification project.”
 has updated residents of Southern part of Ondo State which has been cut off national grid for close to 15 years that repair work on the electrification is nearing completion.){kind=link}