PLANS are in the pipeline by the Ogun State government to commission an Electricity Distribution Company, alongside new Independent Power Projects and mini-grids, to boost power supply and industrial growth of the state.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who disclosed this, in a statement, said the projects which are set for commissioning “soon” were part of the beneficiaries of the state and World Bank’ N5b Investment.

He said the fund also supported women-focused empowerment and livelihood programmes over the past six years, mainly through the Nigeria for Women Project and the state’s Oko’OwoDapo scheme.

He disclosed that about N3 billion came from the World Bank and N2 billion from the state, with over 55,000 women empowered so far across Ogun State.

Recall that Abiodun had last year assured that the Independent Power Plant would deliver uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to major parts of Abeokuta.

The governor stated this after inspecting the 30-megawatt power plant located in Onijanganjangan, near Ewekoro.

He noted that the project, developed in collaboration with private sector partners, marks the first phase of the Ogun State Light Up Project.

He said: “What we are doing today is to witness the first phase of the implementation of our Ogun State Light Up Project.

The first phase of this project is the 30 Megawatts power generation that will take care of Abeokuta.

“Abeokuta Metropolis will require more than 30 Megawatts, but this is the first phase of the planned 100 Megawatts power generation capacity. I have gone around and have taken note of the progress of work so far.

“I can assure you that once this has been achieved, though we may not be able to supply power to the whole of Abeokuta, substantial parts of the city will now enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply, and that will be unprecedented in the history of Ogun State,” he stated.