By Paul Joseph
The Ondo State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved a $1.6 million United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)-supported Small Hydropower Project at the Owena Dam and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired power plant to provide electricity for government facilities across the state.
The approvals were among key decisions reached during Tuesday’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as the administration rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at boosting infrastructure, energy, education and grassroots development.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi, said the 350-kilowatt hydropower project would be funded through a UNIDO grant, with the Ondo State Government providing a 30 per cent counterpart contribution.
He explained that the renewable energy project, to be located at the Owena Dam, is designed to enhance power generation while supporting sustainable energy development in the state.
“The 350-kilowatt small hydropower will be built with a grant from UNIDO and the state is expected to put a 30 per cent counterpart fund into it,” Alabi said.
The commissioner also announced the approval of a 7.5MW gas-fired turbine to be installed at the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters in Akure to supply uninterrupted electricity to government offices and facilities.
According to him, the project is expected to eliminate the state’s dependence on electricity supplied by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and drastically reduce the use of diesel-powered generators.
“The essence of that plant is to power all government facilities in Ondo State. We will no longer rely on BEDC or rely on generators anymore. The project has about five months to be completed and after five months it will be commissioned for the use of Ondo State,” he stated.
Also addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, disclosed that the Executive Council ratified 21 infrastructure projects previously awarded across various local government areas.
Among the projects approved are the construction of the Okela–NYSC Camp–Federal Technical College Road in Ikare-Akoko and the development of 27 units of four-bedroom terrace buildings for members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
In the water sector, Commissioner for Water Resources, Elder Ayodele Akande, said the council approved the state’s counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project sourced from the multipurpose Owena Dam in Igbara-Oke.
He noted that the approval would ensure the timely completion of the project after development partners had fulfilled their funding obligations.
“The donor agencies have played their own part. Likewise, the state government has now graciously approved the set amount so that the project will not stop and within the timeline it will be completed,” Akande said.
The Executive Council also took significant decisions in the education sector by approving the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, a move aimed at expanding higher education opportunities and strengthening research in agriculture and science.
On traditional institutions, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, announced the ratification of the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatusin Richard as the new Onisupare of Supare-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
He further disclosed that the council approved the appointment of Prince Tayo Ajisegiri as the new Olujigba of Ijigba in Akure South Local Government Area, describing Governor Aiyedatiwa as a leader committed to grassroots development.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, said the lengthy Executive Council session reflected the importance of the decisions taken across critical sectors.
“If you look at the length of time that was spent, you will know that far-reaching decisions have been taken pertaining to the development of Ondo State, ranging from infrastructure to health, legal reforms and, more importantly, local government,” he said.
Reaffirming the administration’s development agenda, Ajanaku added: “When you build a family, you build a community. When you build a community, you build a town. When you build a town, you build a state. And that is exactly what we are doing.”
The approvals underscore the Aiyedatiwa administration’s drive to strengthen energy security, improve public infrastructure, expand access to essential services and accelerate socio-economic development across Ondo State.
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