Ondo to build $1.6m hydropower project, 7.5MW gas turbine

The Ondo State Executive Council 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 turbine, to improve electricity supply to government facilities across the state.

The approvals were among several decisions taken at Tuesday’s executive council meeting presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Johnson Alabi, said the 350-kilowatt hydropower project would be funded through a UNIDO grant, with the state providing a 30 per cent counterpart contribution. He added that the council also approved the installation of a 7.5MW gas-fired turbine at the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters to power government offices and reduce dependence on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and diesel generators.

According to Alabi, the gas plant is expected to be completed within five months. “The essence of that plant is to power all government facilities in Ondo State. We will no longer rely on BEDC or generators anymore,” he said.

The council also ratified 21 infrastructure projects across the state’s local government areas. Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the projects include the construction of the Okela-NYSC Camp-Federal Technical College Road in Ikare-Akoko and 27 four-bedroom terrace houses for members of the state legislature.

In the education sector, the executive council approved the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.

The council also approved the state’s counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project sourced from the multipurpose Owena Dam in Igbara-Oke. Commissioner for Water Resources, Ayodele Akande, said the approval would ensure the project is completed within schedule after donor agencies fulfilled their obligations.

Also, the executive council ratified the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatusin Richard as the Onisupare of Supare-Akoko and approved Prince Tayo Ajisegiri as the Olujigba of Ijigba in Akure South Local Government Area.