There was celebration yesterday in Oke-Oyi community, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, as Federal Government launched 581 kilowatt of interconnected mini grid acceleration scheme (IMAS).
The solar power project will supply 24 hours electricity to Oke-Oyi and neighbouring communities.
Scores of elated villagers chanted ”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term.”
The community said the project had renewed its confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government for rural development, adding that Oke-Oyi was not left behind.
The project, developed by Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited, with support from German Cooperation and European Union through GIZ, is designed to expand access to reliable electricity, while supporting economic activities and improving livelihoods at Oke-Oyi community, the Federal Government has said.
Chairman, Oke-Oyi community, Alhaji Oseni Elemoso, said: ‘Today is a day of joy for the people of Oke-Oyi community. We are honoured to welcome you all as we celebrate the inauguration of this 581 kilowatt interconnected mini-grid project implemented by Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
‘For many years, we have longed for reliable electricity to improve our lives and economic activities.
”This project has renewed our confidence in the commitment of the government and its partners to rural development and has shown that Oke-Oyi is not forgotten.”
The local government Chairman, Luqman Agbelere, says community members will now have access to electricity to grow their businesses.
Represented by Head, Department of Administration, Abdulkareem Kolapo, Agbelere said ‘the provision of reliable electricity remains an important driver of economic and social development.”
The Federal Government inaugurated the project through REA under the Rural Electrification Fund.
The project has a total installed capacity of 581kWp, comprising 1,336 solar panels and 84 batteries, with approximately 10 kilometres of distribution cables and transformers supporting the electricity distribution network.
The project serves a community with an estimated population of 13,000 people, with electricity connections extended to residential and productive users.
Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, said the inauguration reflected Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and ensuring that energy investments translated into improved livelihoods and economic opportunities.
Said he: ‘The purpose of electrification is ultimately to improve lives and create opportunities. What we are inaugurating today at Oke-Oyi is an investment in the productive capacity of the community. When electricity enables a welder to expand his business, a grain miller to operate more efficiently or a new enterprise to emerge, we are seeing the direct connection between energy access and economic development.’
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq welcomed the intervention and noted the importance of reliable electricity to economic activities and community development.
Represented by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Yakubu Salihu, the governor said: ‘For Kwara State, every intervention that expands reliable electricity access to our communities is an important step towards creating a more conducive environment for enterprise, employment and improved livelihoods.
”We appreciate the Federal Government, REA and all development and private-sector partners for this investment at Oke-Oyi and look forward to its continued contribution to the development of the community.’