Ondo State Executive Council has approved a $1.6 million United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Small Hydropower Project at the Owena Dam and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to power government facilities across the state to ensure energy self-sufficiency.
 
The approvals were taken at the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, where the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology was also approved.
 
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, stated that the executive council ratified 21 infrastructure projects and approved counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project, with the confirmation of two traditional rulers.
 
He said: “The length of time that was spent shows that far-reaching decisions have been taken about the development of Ondo State, ranging from infrastructure, health to legal reforms and, more importantly, to the local councils.”
 
Speaking on the energy sector, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Johnson Alabi, said the 350-kilowatt hydropower project would be funded through a UNIDO grant, while the state government would provide a 30 per cent counterpart contribution.
 
He also announced the approval of a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to be sited at the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters to provide electricity to government facilities across the state.
 
Alabi disclosed that the project is expected to be completed within five months, to end the state’s reliance on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and generators.
 
“The essence of that plant is to power all government facilities in Ondo State. We will no longer rely on BEDC or generators. The project has about five months to be completed, and after five months it will be commissioned for the use of Ondo State,” he stated.
 
On infrastructure development, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the council ratified about 21 projects previously awarded across the state’s local council areas.
 
Among the ratified projects are the construction of Okela–NYSC Camp–Federal Technical College Road in Ikare-Akoko and the construction of 27 units of four-bedroom terrace buildings for members of the legislature.