Osun Set To Generate Own Electricity, Draft Bill Ready

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Government is working on plans to generate electricity for use by the people of the State.

Already, a draft electricity bill and policy, which would expand power generation and distribution is being formulated.

The State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, disclosed this while flagging off the Obokun 33kV Feeder Line from Osunjela to Ilesa-West Local Government Secretariat in Ilesa

The Governor expressed the hope that the frameworks, when finally passed into law, would transform Osun’s electricity sector.

Adeleke expressed the hope that the draft electricity bill and policy, when passed into law, would expand power generation and distribution and transform Osun’s electricity sector.

The Governor expressed delight that the feeder line project, which had been abandoned for 11 years by previous administrations, has now been completed and relocated to alleviate the challenges faced by the four local government areas it is intended to serve.

“As a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our priority to bring economic light to the people of Osun State.

“We have a robust plan to transform the state’s energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.

“I am therefore pleased to reiterate that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution

“The policy and bill, when finally passed into law, will change the face of Osun’s electricity sector.

“Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity. We will issue licences to those capable of generating electricity.

“We will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan DISCO. We will manage the relationship between power generators and purchasers. The new plan will create a regulatory agency for the state’s power sector.

“I commend the Ministry of Energy for doing a good job in developing the policy and proposed legislation. We must follow up to ensure its early passage.

“Ahead of the passage, I am further directing the Ministry to develop an implementation plan with timelines and deliverables. Stakeholders must be fully involved in the process for a sustainable outcome.

“We are acting quickly in the energy sector because power supply is the engine room of economic growth.

“Regular power supply boosts economic activities. Our vision is for Osun State to be self-sufficient in power supply and to export to neighbouring states.”