Abdulganiyu Abdulquadir, the Press Officer on Local Matters to the President of the 8th Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the rejuvenation of the Budo Osho substation around Judges quarters, Ilorin, by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, will improve economic activities and bring life to the communities under its operation.
He also assured that electricity in the Ilorin metropolis will further improve soon when all the power substations facilitated by Sarakibegins operate fully.
Abdulqadir stated this in an article he authored titled, “How Saraki Facilitated 3 Substations to Boost Power Supply in Kwara. And made available to Just Event Online TV on Friday
The media aide to Saraki commended the people for the sacrifices and efforts made to pressure the Distribution Company into an agreement to rehabilitate the substation.
The article read, “It is on that basis that one rejoices with the people of Budo Esho, Tanke, Okeodo, F-Divisio,n, and Basin and delights in the commissioning of the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Budo Osho power substation. The development, no doubt, will engender improved power supply and promote economic activities in the said areas.
“This did not come easy. I’m very much aware that a few months ago; the aforementioned communities could no longer bear the erratic power supply and were at loggerheads with the IBEDC officials in the operation area. It was so frustrating that the university communities – in protest – acted in unison, and asked to be disconnected from the national grid. Prepaid customers refrained from recharging while those on estimated billing returned the bills to the Distribution company.
“The issue lasted for weeks and the IBEDC management – at a meeting with the community representatives – at their Ibadan head office, among other agreements, promised to resuscitate the vandalized Budo Osho power substation, which was identified as key to power stability in the area. It is that promise that has today come to fruition, albeit with a little delay.”
While clarifying what he called a misrepresentation of facts regarding efforts made to improve power infrastructure in Ilorin, he stated that the former Senate President facilitated three substations to include the Kulende Power substation, Okolowo Power substation, and Ilorin Stadium power substation.
He however made it clear that the rehabilitated Budo Osho Power Station was not part of the 3 power substations facilitated by him, adding that the project had been in existence for a long time before it was revived by IBEDC.
“President of the 8th Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, while in office facilitated 3 power substations to Ilorin. These include the Kulende Power substation, Okolowo Power substation,n, and Ilorin Stadium Power substation.
“The rehabilitated Budo Osho Power Station was not part of the 3 power substations facilitated by him. That project was in existence a long time ago and it was vandalized before this rehabilitation project by IBEDC itself due to the people’s outcry.
Abdulqadir also stated that individuals cannot decide to finance an ongoing project duly appropriated by a Federal Agency.
“Community or personal interventions come sometimes especially in a country like Nigeria where there’s wide infrastructural deficit. Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki had on countless occasions used the government machinery to enhance electricity supply in Kwara communities either by electrification, transformer suppl,y or installation, as well as repair works. He has done the same in a personal capacity as well.
“This does not invalidate the fact that IBEDC, as part of its core statutory role, needs to finance the distribution of power to consumers in communities. It is that statutory task that is carried out at Budo Osho.
“In the same vein, the 3 projects facilitated by the former Senate President were appropriated to be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). It is unheard of that an individual would be reported to have spent personal funds to “complete” a project duly appropriated for by a Federal Agency, with work ongoing,” he said.
He however assured that the project office of ABS has secured commitment from the Rural Electrification Agency towards the completion and commissioning of the power projects in line with their annual disbursement plans.
“The Director of Project to Dr. Saraki is constantly in touch with REA Programs to ensure that the facilitated projects are put to use for Kwarans in those areas. That will largely put to rest, the epileptic power situation in these major communities.”
