Erin-Ijesa Community Commends State, Federal Government for Siting Of Hydropower Plant

Residents of Erin Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area of the State of Osun have commended the Federal and State governments for their collaborative initiative in citing Hydropower plant in the community.

This commendation was given during the visit of the committee from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to the Erin Ijesa Waterfall site,where the Hydropower plant will be located.

The Odofin of Erin-Ijesa land, High Chief Adebowale Samuel, while receiving the team on behalf of the town’s monarch thanked the government representatives for mapping out Erin-Ijesa as one of the communities that will benefit from the  Hydropower plant station.

He, however, pleaded with the state government to provide amenities like accessible roads  to complement the provision of electricity.

Also the Youth Leader of the community, Mr Ajimotokin Olalere, commended the government for the opportunity given to their community to enjoy the privilege, promising that they will use their capacity to support the project which, according to him, will not only boost the economy of the community, but will also bring the area to limelight.

The committee, which was led by the acting Director, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Issa Buba, had earlier paid courtesy call on Osun State  Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Diji Akinola in his office.

Mr Issa Buba while addressing the Chief of Staff and others said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was able to identify some sites that could be developed in the South West and three locations were approved which include two dams and Erin Ijesa waterfall community.

He said the Ministry had contacted the State Government since 2016 when the feasibility study was carried out but the process was stalled due to some factors, but assured that the process was now back on course.

Mr Buba said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has the mandate for socioeconomic development of the country, and that the Ministry was tasked to do research on small hydropower and to partner with some State Governments and other stakeholders to develop Hydropower plants that can generate electricity, using local raw materials.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, State of Osun, Dr Charles Akinola, while welcoming the team, said that their intervention was a welcome development, explaining that the economic summit in the state, held nine months ago, had such items that would boost the economy which included but not limited to, manufacturing, employment, empowerment, mining, tourism and power generation among others.

Dr Akinola assured the team that the Government will do all in its capacity to support the project to deliver as conceptualized.