By Dayo Johnson Akure
The Ondo state authorities has authorized a $1.6 million United Nations Industrial Improvement Organisation, UNIDO, Small Hydropower Mission at Owena Dam and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to energy authorities amenities throughout the state.
Commissioner for Power and Mineral Sources, Johnson Alabi, mentioned this whereas briefing newsmen after the State Govt Council assembly presided over by Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa.
Alabi mentioned the council additionally authorized the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa College of Agriculture, Science and Know-how. It additional ratified 21 infrastructure tasks, authorized counterpart funding for the City Water Mission, and confirmed two new conventional rulers.
In accordance with Alabi, the 350-kilowatt small hydropower mission at Owena Dam can be funded by means of a UNIDO grant, with the state offering 30 per cent counterpart funding.
“The 350-kilowatt small hydropower can be constructed with a grant from UNIDO and the state is anticipated to place a 30 per cent counterpart fund into it,” he mentioned.
He additionally introduced approval for a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to be sited on the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters.
“The essence of that plant is to energy all authorities amenities in Ondo State. We are going to not depend on BEDC or depend on mills anymore,” Alabi mentioned.
“The mission has about 5 months to be accomplished and after 5 months it will likely be commissioned for using Ondo State,” he added.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, mentioned the council ratified 21 tasks beforehand awarded throughout native authorities areas.
They embody the development of the Okela–NYSC Camp–Federal Technical School Street in Ikare-Akoko and 27 models of four-bedroom terrace buildings for members of the state legislature.
The Commissioner for Water Sources, Elder Ayodele Akande, mentioned the council authorized the state’s counterpart funding for the continuing City Water Mission sourced from the multipurpose Owena Dam in Igbara-Oke.
“The donor businesses have performed their very own half. Likewise, the state authorities has now graciously authorized the set quantity in order that the mission won’t cease and inside the timeline it will likely be accomplished,” Akande mentioned.
The Commissioner for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, introduced the ratification of Prince Adewale Fatusin Richard as the brand new Onisupare of Supare-Akoko in Akoko South-West, and Prince Tayo Ajisegiri as the brand new Olujigba of Ijigba in Akure South.
He described Governor Aiyedatiwa as “a person who believes in grassroots improvement.”
The Commissioner for Info, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, mentioned the assembly’s size mirrored the load of choices taken.
“Should you take a look at the size of time that was spent, you’ll know that far-reaching selections have been taken pertaining to the event of Ondo State, starting from infrastructure to well being, to authorized reforms, and extra importantly, to the native authorities,” Ajanaku mentioned.
He additionally confirmed the approval for the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a college.
“Whenever you construct a household, you construct a group. Whenever you construct a group, you construct a city. Whenever you construct a city, you construct a state. And that’s precisely what we’re doing,” he mentioned.
