Ondo south power outage: Town hall meeting, another Greek gift, mere deception ― Group

AHEAD of town hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday by the Ondo state government, with the people of the southern senatorial districts over the continued power outage in the area, the people of the communities have been warned against falling for the “Greek gift” saying the meeting was a mere deception.

The coordinator of Bring Back Our Light, (BBOL) Mr. Olumide Akinrinlola, who stated this in a statement issued and signed by him, also passed a vote of no confidence on the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, accusing his government of insincerity and grand deception, with no regard to fulfilling his electoral promises.

According to him, as much as the people of the area appreciated the development, he called on the people of the area to be cautious of the government’s sudden interest over the plight of the people of the area over the blackout.

He charged the people of the four local government to avoid being carried away by another fake promise by the state government, saying “election is around the corner and let’s open our eyes”

Akinrinlola who called on the people of the area to honour the governor invitation by attending the town hall meeting as scheduled, however, said “we must all be suspicious why our governor who promised to restore electricity to us after three months in office is now coming to meet with us at this time

” We are very close to another election and despite several visits to the government on the same issue by our royal fathers, with several appeals by our peoples without any hope from government.”

“As much as we appreciate this new development, we are using this medium to put our people on alert and to also advise them to put on their thinking cap and not play the gullible in the course of this meeting, most especially now that another election has come.

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The BBOL in its resolutions, however, urged the people not to be carried away with another promise that lacks substance of hope but should stick to their decision not to participate in the forthcoming 2019 election if electricity is not restored to the four affected local government areas.

The BBOL resolutions read “that the government of Rotimi Akeredolu should join our people and his counterpart in Edo State, governor Obaseki, by adding his voice to the call for the revocation or stoppage of the renewal of BEDC operating license which falls due this month.

“That our planned peaceful Mega protest which has been scheduled to hold at Omotosho Power Plant will hold as planned, to show our grievances and to expose all the atrocities of BEDC and the failure of the management of Omotosho Power Plant to obey the Local Content agreement to the president of this country.”

Meanwhile, the state government has said on Sunday that the town hall meeting became imperative to find a lasting solution in restoring electricity to the affected areas in the southern senatorial district.

The state government said restoring electricity in the area has been a major concern of the present Akeredolu -led administration in the state since its assumption of office.

“Mr Governor is clearheaded about the fact that the wealth of the State is in the belly of the Southern District and therefore can’t allow the people to live in darkness.

“Akeredolu in his determination and commitment to restore electricity back to the areas will on Tuesday, 11th September 2018 meet with the people of Ese-Odo, Ilaje, Irele and Okitipupa Local Government Areas at the Williams’ Place Igbokoda by 11: am and Idepe Town Hall, Okitipupa by 1:00 pm respectively.”

Communities within the Southern Senatorial District of the state had been disconnected from the national grid, leaving the entire area in perpetual darkness, affecting economic and social activities of the people of the area.