Ondo Approves $1.6M Hydropower Project, 7.5MW Gas Plant

The 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.

The approvals were among key decisions taken at the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, presided over by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

The council also approved the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, ratified 21 infrastructure projects, approved counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project, and confirmed two traditional rulers.

Speaking on energy, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi, said the 350-kilowatt hydropower project will be funded through a UNIDO grant, with the state government providing a 30 per cent counterpart contribution.

“The 350-kilowatt small hydropower will be built with a grant from UNIDO and the state is expected to put a 30 per cent counterpart fund into it,” he said.

He also announced the approval of a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to be sited at the Alagbaka Commissioners’ Quarters to provide electricity for government facilities across the state.

“The essence of that plant is to power all government facilities in Ondo State. We will no longer rely on BEDC or rely on generators anymore. The project has about five months to be completed and after five months it will be commissioned for the use of Ondo State,” he said.

The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, said the council ratified about 21 projects previously awarded across the state’s local government areas.

The projects include the construction of Okela–NYSC Camp–Federal Technical College Road, Ikare-Akoko, and construction of 27 units of four-bedroom terrace buildings for members of the legislature.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Elder Ayodele Akande, said the Executive Council approved the state’s counterpart funding for the ongoing Urban Water Project sourced from the multipurpose Owena Dam in Igbara-Oke.

“The donor agencies have played their own part. Likewise, the state government has now graciously approved the set amount so that the project will not stop and within the timeline it will be completed,” he said.

On education, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, announced the approval of the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.

On traditional institutions, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, announced the ratification of the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatusin Richard as the new Onisupare of Supare-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.

He also disclosed the approval of Prince Tayo Ajisegiri as the new Olujigba of Ijigba in Akure South Local Government Area.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Hon. Ajanaku said the length of the meeting reflected the significance of the decisions reached.

“If you look at the length of time that was spent, you will know that far-reaching decisions have been taken pertaining to the development of Ondo State, ranging from the area of infrastructure to health, to legal reforms, and more importantly, to the local government,” he said.

He added that the administration remains committed to grassroots development.

“When you build a family, you build a community. When you build a community, you build a town. When you build a town, you build a state. And that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.