The Lagos State Government has entered a partnership with African Development Bank (AfDB) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to fully restore electricity supply to the over 40 communities within the Lekki and Ibeju-Lekki environs after 15 years of blackout.
The initiative is part of the Lagos State Electricity policy to explore different ways to get electricity supply sustainably to all communities in the state.
Speaking during an interactive consultation session with concerned stakeholders in Ibeju-Lekki Ibeju at the secretariat of Lekki Community Development Area (LCDA), Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Olalere Odusote, stated that the new initiative with the development partners would help fast track the supply of electricity to many communities within the council, urging residents and community leaders to cooperate with the state government to bring the lofty initiative to fruition.
Explaining the concept of the Lagos State Electricity Cooperatives with AfDB, the commissioner stated that the entire expenses needed to provide power supply to the residents of the affected communities within the councils would be shouldered by the bank.
The affected communities in Ibeju-Lekki incude Tiye, Mobido, Idasho, Ilege, Magbon-Segun, Idotun, Itokin, Lekuru, Okunraiye, Olomowewe, Origanrigan 1, Origanrigan 2, Oshoroko, Lekki, Ebutte-Lekki,Shiriwon, Ibekodo, Itamarun, Oniyanrin, Otoolu, Folu, Ikegun, Lepia, Okun-Ise, Okun Abumiti, Igbogun, Obada, Ogogoro, Igbolomi, Idata, Ilagbo, Ide Island 1, Ide Island 2, Igbodola, Batedo, Imobi-Oke, Imube-Omi, Ereke, Okegelu and Apakin.
The above names were contained in the Save-Our-Soul (SoS) letter, addressed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, by the Convener of the #LightUpIbejuLekki, Olawale Eleto,
Explaining further, Odusote said that AfDB has identified a need for electrification in Lagos and has come with the cooperative model it’s willing to fund, adding that the cooperative model works by ensuring there is ownership of the infrastructure by the community.
According to the commissioner, the beneficiaries of the power supply that would be made possible through the partnership with AfDB are expected to enter into a cooperative for a convenient repayment plan through the EKEDC.
“The communities will be tasked to ensure that they can key to the electricity and ensure they pay, and ensure that from the proceeds of the electricity sales they can pay for the infrastructure,” he said.
The move, the commissioner said, aimed at extending power supply including the provision of pre-paid meters to residents of the areas within the shortest possible time without putting an unnecessary burden on the beneficiaries of the gesture.
Talking about the importance of the stakeholders’ meeting, while fielding questions from Journalists, Odusote said: “Some communities in Lekki have not had electricity for the past 15 years. So we want to find out what exactly the problem is? What kind of model would work to supply electricity to Ibeju –Lekki on a sustainable basis?
“We came here with AfDB, who has come with an innovative funding approach and also incorporated cooperative; and also Eko Disco, to see how we can work together to ensure there is a sustainable supply of electricity in Ibeju Lekki.”
On what to expect henceforth, Odusote said that the ministry is currently mobilizing the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association USA (NRECA)’s contractor, who is expected to come in and carry out the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to determine the impact of the project on the communities, adding that after this has been done, the contractor would commence work.
“We are expecting the report to be done in the next four to six months after which we can then start. But while we are doing that, we will be evaluating the requirements of the network upgrade that are needed and also be speaking to the people and socializing the cooperative model with them to ensure they are comfortable with it.
“We intend to mobilise and start preliminary construction this year. We have identified seven locations that we would start from. We can go on and start the work, and from there we move to other locations,” Odusote said.
Commenting on the initiative at the forum, Representative of AfDB, Mrs Ify Emefiele, spoke on the support which the bank is providing in ensuring the community is well electrified through their financial intervention.
The Senior Vice President USAID/NRECA Dr Daniel Waddle, during his presentation, explained the processes through which the electric cooperative will work and he also gave examples of cities like Bangladesh where the initiative is functioning perfectly.
He enjoined the stakeholders to make good use of this great opportunity of a lifetime, adding that members of the community will always be grateful to the state government for bringing this laudable initiative to their community as the pilot scheme and first of its kind in the country.
The Council Chairman of Lekki LCDA, Hon. Rasak Bamidele Kasali enjoined all stakeholders to see the interaction session as a way out of the present state of instability in electricity supply to the various communities within the council.
Also, the Council Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, an engineer appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for always prioritizing the needs of residents of Ibeju Lekki in all his people-oriented developmental projects and plans.
The council chairman enlightened the people that the Electricity Cooperative Model which is the first of its kind needs the full support of the residents with the cooperation of both the local and state governments to be effective.
He advised the residents to embrace the model, just as he assured the commissioner for energy and mineral resources, of the readiness of the Ibeju Lekki and Lekki councils to ensure the success of the new electricity supply initiative.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Commerce and Industry, Oladele Ajayi, said that the governor, bearing in mind that reliable electricity is key to Ibeju Lekki economic goal, is exploring innovative ways to ensure that the electricity situation in Ibeju-Lekii becomes a thing of the past hence, the consideration of an opportunity with the AFDB.
Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms Sholabomi Mosunmola Shasore said that the stakeholders’ session was organised to seek the buy-in of the Ibeju and Lekki residents into the new cooperative initiative.
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electricity to 40 communities in Ibeju Lekki | electricity to 40 communities in Ibeju Lekki | electricity to 40 communities in Ibeju Lekki
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