The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to building a sustainable energy future that would transform the people from poverty to prosperity through reliable and sustainable power infrastructure.
The government also unveiled a strategic roadmap to generate and distribute 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2027.
The state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Dahud Shangodoyin, who also serves as Acting Chairman of the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, stated this in a statement released by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan on Thursday.
He noted that the state had begun a more sustainable and technically robust 12-megawatt Ibadan Independent Power Gas Project, which would serve not only the government secretariat but also some strategic public institutions.
Shangodoyin said the project would reduce operating costs and expand the economy of the state, explaining that the state currently receives 182 megawatts from the national grid, which is far below the minimum of 520 megawatts required for economic growth.
The commissioner stressed that the state government had invested in the 12-megawatt Ibadan Independent Gas Project, with plans to add about 120 megawatts before the expiration of the current administration in 2027.
He added that the power project represented a shift from experimental power supply to a structured, scalable and integrated electricity solution to support industrial growth, attract investors, create job opportunities and boost the economy of the state.
Shangodoyin stated that as part of its responsibilities, OYSERC regulates operators in the electricity industry in the state. He therefore called on residents to always channel their complaints about the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the commission.
“There is no meaningful development that we can have in the state without reliable infrastructure. And, at the heart of this infrastructure lies energy. Governor Makinde, from Omituntun 1.0 to 2.0, has been building the foundation for sustainable economic growth through deliberate investments in power and infrastructure.
“Nigeria has witnessed a landmark reform in the energy sector through the Electricity Act 2023. This law empowers each state to manage its own generation, distribution and transmission of electricity, and equally to regulate its own electricity market.
“With this in place, and with the Ministry of Energy, which also ensures that we reduce the deficit of access to electricity, within the next three quarters, the state will be witnessing progress in this sector because we are opening up the electricity market in Oyo State through OYSERC.
“We have had almost 30 investors who are willing to come to Oyo State because OYSERC now has an integrated electricity resource plan, 2026 to 2036. This gives us a plan on how we move from one stage to the other.
“We know that the minimum electricity required is about 520 megawatts. Right now, what we have is just 182 megawatts, which means we are having less than 25 per cent of what is required minimally.
“Now, the state has invested in a 12-megawatt Ibadan Independent Gas Project, which, if added to 182 megawatts, will give us about 194 megawatts.
“Now, that is not all. The plan of the governor, through this commission, is to add about 120 megawatts between Quarter 2 of this year and Quarter 2 of 2027, which means we will be aiming at 300 megawatts, which will be at least close to 60 per cent of what is needed to grow the economy of the state,” he explained.
He stated that the state had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shell for the distribution of gas needed for power generation.
“Also, we are thinking of approving three or four energy providers to subscribe to the need of the state. We already have one that is interested in generating hydroelectricity through Asejire.
“And, for the commission, the website is on. It gives investors the opportunity to go ahead and look at our electricity plan. It gives them an idea of what they will need to come to the state.
“We are working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. However, with the law that established OYSERC, there is no other regulator that is allowed to do any business concerning electricity regulation in the state.
“Even the IBEDC will need a licence from the commission. So, anyone who has complaints in terms of electricity supply, consumption and tariff in the state should come to OYSERC.”
On the key initiatives of the commission, Shangodoyin said, “The independent power project will help us to power critical infrastructure within Ibadan.
“These include the Secretariat, the Government House, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, the Oyo State High Court, the Customary Court around Iyanganku area, State Hospital at Adeoyo Yemetu, Lekan Salami Sports Complex and all the streetlights around these areas.”
He added that the project would support the expansion of businesses along that route and improve the living standards of residents in the areas.
Present at the event were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy/Acting Member, Strategy and Finance, Abiodun Adedoja; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources/Acting Secretary, Michael Ayanniyi; Acting Member (Technical), the state Electricity Regulatory Board, Ezekiel Ojekunle; Acting Member, Legal, Omolara Omoremi; Director, Administrative and Supplies, [first name needed] Bamigbola; and Senior Accountant, Omolola Lucas.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
