Ogun State government has assured the eight Independent Power Providers (IPPs) working on the ‘Light Up Ogun project of the security of their investment into the State’s power sector, even beyond 2019.
The assurance came after the eight IPPs expressed concern over the safety of their current agreement with the state government, with a change of guard expected in the state in 2019.
The State’s Attorney General, Dr. Olumide Ayeni who clarified the legal obligations of the state government in the project ‘Light Up Ogun’ at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop with the eight independent power providers in Abeokuta, revealed government’s proactiveness in ensuring the agreement remains binding for the foreseeable future.
Ayeni stated that plans were in place to enact a legislative act to protect the agreement even after the end of the current administration.
The commissioner restated government’s commitment to the actualization of the project saying”there is a Private-Public Partnership legislative proposal on the desk of the state executive which would soon be passed to the State legislature for enactment.
“We want to ensure that these guarantees are institutionalized through adequate legislation. I want to assure that the legislation would be in place in the next few months, before 2019,” he said.
The Attorney General also advised the IPPs to ensure that funds are made available to kick start the project in good time, in order to avoid a situation whereby the projects would be abandoned midway.
Speaking earlier, the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Tolu Odebiyi, said government is committed to providing stable power supply in the state.
Highlighting the importance of the workshop, Odebiyi added that his administration remains focused on making Ogun State the industrial hub of Nigeria.
“It is important to engage the IPPs on the terms of our agreement with them, to bring up the legal, land and environment aspect of it and to basically iron out all issues they may have,” he pointed out
He also emphasized government’s resolve at providing an enabling environment for the actualization of the ‘Light Up Ogun’ project.
The governor, however, charged the IPPs to live up to their responsibility and honour the terms of the Memorandum of understanding signed with the State government.
He said, “In our drive towards industrialization of this state, we want to make sure that we have stable power supply.
“We are taking this agreement very seriously. We have a goal in place as we are very focused on industrialization in Ogun State. With the amount of industries that are moving in to Ogun state, it is important that energy needs are met. And to also ensure the IPPs know what is expected of them. They must as a matter of fact get clarity on what they have signed and what we expect from them.”
The Deputy Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Mr. John Ayodele, who shared his operational knowledge of power supply with the IPPs commended the state government on the project.
He revealed that the government has a clear agenda on how to significantly improve power supply in the state, urging the IPPs to cooperate with them to bring the agenda to fruition.
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