12th September, 2012
The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Rotimi Olowo, has commended the state government for its determination to achieve adequate, reliable and affordable electricity in the state.
He said the decision of the state government is in line with international best practices.
Olowo stated this at the commissioning of a 20kVA generating set to power streetlights on Apata Street in Somolu area of the state.
He said: “The provision of 20KVA generating set that will power the streetlights is to reduce criminal activities by armed robbers and miscreants who are known to work under the shadow of darkness to perpetrate their evil.”
He noted that the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was determined to make the state crime free and the safest place in the country.
“Initially, Somolu was not part of the project; I used my goodwill and connection to lobby the General Manager, State Electricity Board, who thereafter informed the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources who made the project see the light of the day,” he stated.
The project is expected to serve streets in Somolu Local Government Area including Apata, Ita-Baale, Fadipe, Orile George, and Akeju and, according to Mr. Olowo, the project cost the state government millions of naira and would soon be extended to other areas like Morocco, Bajulaye and Jibowu.
The lawmaker commended the state government for making sure that the people of Somolu benefited from the essential services of the current administration and urged residents of the area to be vigilant so that miscreants would not destroy the facilities.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Ajibade Tijani, while speaking at the event, said the project was part of the electoral promises made by Governor Fashola to Provide light in every part of the state.
He noted that “Governor Fashola has provided street lights that would power all parts of Somolu through independent power generation, in case there’s a power cut by the PHCN.”
He disclosed that the maintenance of the equipment would be done by the state’s Electricity Board at no cost to the communities which he admonished to protect the equipment from vandals.
On the security of the project, Mr. Tijani said the Community Development Association (CDA) as well as the Neighbourhood Watch operatives have been employed to protect it.
Residents who spoke at the occasion expressed appreciation to Governor Fashola for making life more meaningful to the.
They promised to adequately protect the equipment.
—Eromosele Ebhomele