Power

Oyo State Targets 100% Electricity Coverage by 2035

By Web News 258

By Iyabo Adebisi

The Oyo State government has launched a process to establish its own electricity market, an initiative that aims to enhance energy independence, revitalise the economy, and achieve 100% power coverage across the state by 2035.

The Commissioner for Energy, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin, disclosed this plan during a stakeholder engagement meeting on the Draft Oyo State Electricity Policy and Electricity Bill in Ibadan.

Professor Sangodoyin stated that reviewing the draft bill is a crucial step as it will establish a legal and regulatory framework to empower the state to issue licenses for the transmission, distribution, and generation of energy within its borders.

The commissioner outlined a strategic roadmap with short, mid, and long-term goals.

He said the short-term plan involves opening the market to private sector investment immediately after the law is enacted to enable local generation and distribution of electricity.

Professor Sangodoyin also stressed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to leveraging improved electricity access to raise the standard of living and drive economic growth.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, emphasized the urgent need for a modern legal framework.

He stated it must align with current realities in the power sector and empower the state to manage generation, distribution, and regulation more effectively.

Mr. Aikomo explained that the new law would address the entire market ecosystem, which includes licensing for independent operators and investors, theft prevention, granting regulatory powers, and promoting clean energy.

The proposed bill includes key reforms such as strengthening the state’s regulatory commission, encouraging renewable energy development, providing legal backing for prosecuting electricity offenses, and streamlining existing electricity-related laws.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.

Transportation

Oyo Unveils Computerized Vehicle Inspection to Stall Road Carnage

By Web News 954

The Oyo State Government has unveiled a newly computerized vehicle inspection system in its efforts to put a check on the number of accidents on the roads.

The Inspection mechanism is located at the Idi-Ape station of the State’s Vehicle Inspection Unit in Ibadan.

The State Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin stated this in his office while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan, describing the system as a new innovation that is different from the old means of vehicle inspection.

He added that the new system of vehicle inspection is the right step in the right direction as everything in the world is currently digitized.

According to him, the new method would entail full inspection of all mechanical, electrical and structural faults by the system and every fault in the vehicle will be identified for immediate repair.

Dahud said the system would enable car owners to know the status of their vehicles before plying the road. He enjoined motorists, whether public or private, to make use of the affordable opportunity.

“This system is a new way of forestalling road carnage which is mostly caused by poor monitoring of vehicle’s mechanical, electrical or structural makeup of the vehicle.

“The system is opened to all, whether public or private, it is affordable and the target is not for profit but to find another way to preserve lives of the people of the State,” he stated.

In his comment, the Director of Vehicle Inspection Services, Engr. James Adegbemijo Ajayi described the process as a laudable one by the State Government which he said was to ensure that all vehicles plying the roads are roadworthy.

The process, according to him, is seamless, as the vehicle owner could engage the service any time he or she visits through which the status and roadworthiness of the vehicle could be ascertained before the issuance of a roadworthy certificate.

Speaking further, he reiterated that “the system is affordable as it has been subsidized, adding that the Idi-ape Station is the first station that is ready and has been fully functional since the beginning of February this year, while the Eleyele Station is at 75% completion stage, two more stations are hoped to be opened in the year as more people embrace this new development.”

Mr. Bolaji Makinde, the Manager of the facility for the computerized vehicle inspection, revealed that the inspection is categorized into five(5) stages which include the visual stage, emission, light, alignment system, and the underneath inspection.

He noted that the vehicle will have to pass through these stages before it can be certified roadworthy and If any fault is detected, the vehicle owner will be given a time frame of 30days to go and fix the faults and come back for further reassessment.

A motorist at the Station, Prince Muyiwa Adewusi, whose vehicle was been inspected at the time the crew visited the Station could not hide his excitement.

According to him, he was used to the analog way of vehicle inspection and had expected the same to be done upon his visit to the Station, but was shocked to meet a new system on ground.

He, therefore, described this innovation as a welcome development and advised other motorists to avail themselves of this opportunity provided by the State Government.

Signed:

Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun,

Honorable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism,

Ibadan.

Tuesday 8th March, 2022.

Transportation

Gedu-Sabo-Oroki-Asipa Road Ready for Inauguration – Oyo Govt.

By Web News 522

The Oyo State Government has declared that the 5.20km Gedu-Sabo-Oroki road in Oyo town is ready for inauguration.

The declaration was made by the State Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin, on Tuesday while inspecting the road.

He added that rehabilitation works on the road has been completed and it is ready for commissioning by the government for public use.

According to him, all specifications given to the contractor for the road were met, after proper inspection by the Engineers and Quality Assurance team from the Ministry.

He said, “The Gedu-Sabo-Oroki road which was awarded by the State Government, is ready for public use. We only await the desilting of the drainage system and then finalizing the road markings.

“The inspection today is just to ascertain that all the specifications given to the contractor were followed and to the best of my knowledge, we have actually checked the wearing course. It is satisfactory. The drainage system followed the specification of 1meter and all other instructions that were given to the contractor. Also, our counterpart in the Ministry of Energy has installed all the electric poles.”

Addressing the initial poorly constructed bridges on the road which the Governor directed to be pulled down, Sangodoyin said that the bridges are now well constructed.

“The one with 2 cells has been increased to 4 cells. While the one with the failed wall has been properly constructed and every other instruction and specifications has been duly followed by the contractor”, he said.

He however admonished road users to be careful of over-speeding as the road is now very smooth, adding that in due course they’ll observe how people speed on the road to know where to put speed breakers and every other necessary road si.

E-signed:
Wasiu Olatunbosun, Ph.D.,
Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

Transportation

Oyo Govt. Approves 3.2 Billion Naira for Idi-Ape/Akobo/Odogbo Barracks Road

By Web News 1874

Oyo State government has approved the completion of the dualization project of Bashorun-Idi-Ape-Akobo to Odogbo Barracks road at the cost of 3.2 billion naira.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun stated this while briefing newsmen after the weekly executive council meeting.

Dr Olatunbosun said the project would be executed through the Alternative Project Funding Approach under 8 months adding that 231 million naira has been endorsed as compensation fees for owners of properties affected by the road project.

Also, the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin, said an upward review of maternity leave for pregnant women and nursing mother in the service of the Oyo state government from four months to six months has approved in line with WHO recommendation on exclusive breastfeeding.

Iyabo Adebisi

Economy

We have paid 2.9 billion naira to retirees in the past 16 months – Oyo Govt

By Web News 831

Oyo State Government has presented one hundred and eighty million naira gratuity cheques to ninety four retired civil servants.

Those who benefitted were retired teachers, non-teaching staff, and Judicial Service Commission staff whose papers have been completed as of June 2013.

Presenting gratuity cheques to the 94 retired civil servants in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin explained that the state government has paid the sum of 2.9 billion naira for about 1900 retirees within 16 months.

Professor Sangodoyin explained that the state has constituted a committee to fashion out modalities for the state government to clear backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants whose papers have been completed and submitted.

Speaking on behalf of the 94 retired civil servants, the Assistant Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Banji Koleosho appreciated the government kind gesture saying the disbursement of gratuity to retired workers was timely.

Iyabo Adebisi