Ondo riverine communities come alive, as PIND, Chevron, IRDC inaugurate solar electricity project

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) Joint Venture, in partnership with Ilaje Rural Development Committee (IRDC) and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), have inaugurated a solar power electricity project in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Solar Power Mini-Grid Energy Cabins initiated by the IRDC and funded by NNPC/CNL JV is in a bid to provide sustainable energy to no fewer than 200 residents of riverine communities which include Awoye and Odofado in the local government.

Through the Energy Cabin projects, Awoye and Odo Fado are having access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for the first time thus fulfilling Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

While commissioning the project, on Friday, the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said that rural electrification was in line with his administration’s agenda.

According to him, he will ensure that all rural areas benefited from social amenities in order to improve the welfare of riverine residents.

Akeredolu, who was represented by Mrs Abike Ilawolle, the Secretary, Ondo State Public Utility, commended CNL, the sponsors of the laudable project which he said was first of its kind.

“Rural electrification is part of our administration’s agenda and we will ensure that rural dwellers, especially residents in the riverine areas have access to social amenities for life to be enjoyable to them, unlike their land counterparts.

“The communities should prioritize these projects and guarantee its security in order to charge the government to do more and extend such to other riverine communities to bring succour to them,” she admonished.

Mr Goke Ojatuwase, the Chairman, Ilaje LGA who also commended the IRDC and sponsors of the laudable project, said it would relieve the two communities of total darkness.

He said the project, which was one of its kind, had set the pace for other states to emulate, assuring the riverine communities of more dividends of democracy from the present administration in the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Roland Akintoye, the Chairman of IRDC expressed gladness for the completion of the project which, he said, had set the group to the highest pedestal in the community drive for an improved standard of living.

He thanked the state government, the LGA and NNPC/Chevron for the synergy which had blossomed into a cordial relationship and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) beneficial to residents of the riverine communities.

Engr. Ayodeji Olumilua, Managing Director, A4 and T Power Solutions, contractor of the projects, said that residents of the riverine communities would enjoy an uninterrupted power supply with a 40 per cent discount on tariffs compared to normal electricity.

“We have metered all the 200 houses and shops for them to enjoy the uninterrupted power supply.

“The token amount of money that was paid on their prepaid meters would generate funds that would be used to maintain and sustain the solar cabin grid,’’ he noted.

A resident of the Awoye community, Mr Aribo Adegoke, said that solar electricity was a welcome development for them as they now have access to noiseless electricity at a cheaper rate compared to generating set and its expenses.

Another beneficiary from the Odofado community, Mrs Folashade Ojagun, said she had totally lost hope in electricity as no government had been able to erect poles on the river to provide electricity until the advent of solar power.

IRDC, which is a community-based organisation solely funded by NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Ltd, was founded under a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the Ondo State government, and host communities to CNL’s operations in Ondo State and NNPC to manage development in the areas.

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Ondo riverine communities come alive, as PIND, Chevron, IRDC inaugurate solar electricity project

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