…On course to hit target of over 200km of street light installations before the end of the administration.
By Godspower Eguasa
There was jubilation among residents, motorists, and other road users of the New Benin, 2nd East Circular and adjoining roads of Benin City, the Edo State capital, as the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki led community and political leaders to switch on over 6.5 km of street lights.
The exercise took place on Tuesday evening, 17 January 2023 with some top government officials in attendance, providing the Governor a unique opportunity to unveil laudable plans currently in the works towards the transformation of the power sector in Edo State, under the Light-up Edo project.
Mr Obaseki while delivering his remark noted that his administration has installed about 61km of street lights so far, in the Benin City metropolis and is on course to deliver on the target of over 200km of street light installations before he leaves office in 2024.
Obaseki said: “My goal is to make sure I put street lights in as many streets as possible in Edo State before I leave. Today we have done about 61km. I want to make sure I complete over 200km before I leave the office, which will mean covering most of metropolitan, Benin City.
“We are also going to Edo Central and Edo North. Where we can’t find IPP, we would use Solar. The plan is to make sure we put lights, illuminate our cities, and try and extend the economic life of our cities.” he said.
Harping on the socio-economic benefits of the Light-up Edo project to residents and investors of the project-affected areas, the Governor noted that though the project is capital intensive, the State remains committed to delivering good governance, as part of its commitment to improving the well-being of its citizens.
He said: “So, whether you are among people going to bed around 8:00, 9:00 pm, or businesses shutting as soon as it gets dark, we want to see how people can be out there, continue with their businesses for another 3 or so hours after it gets dark and you know what that means for the economy and for our people who are in business.
“We also want to ensure that we secure our cities. You know what we are doing with security, and electricity is very keen in helping us ensure that we illuminate cities and reduce the incidence of crime.
“So, for security, we are going to just continue to make sure that we put more lights at night so that we don’t create dark spots or too many dark areas for people to operate.
He continued: “And then for manufacturers, you know, they would have stable light from the IPP and for those who have small cottage industries, they can spend time producing at night. Similarly, those who have businesses that require cooling, and storage, will also have light, and electricity to preserve their goods and their agricultural produce.
“So, we believe that, how we started with this project of electrification, extending electricity to homes, to streets, we just must continue. It’s very expensive, but for our people, we will not spare any cost to make sure that we develop Edo State”.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Electricity, Engr. Victor Obanor while briefing on the status of the electrification project in the two areas, New Benin axis in Ward 7 and 2nd East Circular Road in ward 11 of the Oredo Local Government Area, assured of the Government’s continuous commitment and plans to ensure the sustainability of the project.
“This evening, we are about to witness the commissioning of two projects. The first project actually transverses Mission Road to New Lagos Road and its IPP project. The IPP project is an Independent Power Project. It is uninterrupted power and effective in terms of maintenance.
“It spans all the way from Sakponba Road via Igun to Lagos Road (Ewudigin) through Custain, through Board of Internal Revenue side, back to Yoruba Street via Owosheni and it comes out at Iyaro. This light has passed through here and of course, it’s very active.
“The street light project spans from Ring Road to Ewah Road Junction, phase 2 starts from New Lagos Road Junction to Ewah Road Junction. The total length of the street light all the way from Ring Road is 3.5km”. Obanor said, for the New Benin axis.
On the 2nd East Circular Road, Obanor said: “The IPP starts from Sapele Road, crosses Sakponba Road, and ends before Uwa Junction. And that’s the IPP you can see there. It’s an uninterrupted power supply.
“The other project we are going to commission here today is the street light project which has taken off from Sapele Road across Sakponba Road, going through to Akpakpava through 2nd East Circular Road. This project is powered by the independent power project”
“We have been distributing these handbills, tagged “see something, say something”. In case of maintenance, emergency and vandalization cases, general checks, illegal connections to EDSG’s electricity, or damaged traffic lights, call these numbers. This project is your project. Defend it, own it, and let it last long”.
The Chairman head of landlords, in New Benin, Chief W. O. B. Obaseki, while commending Governor Godwin Obaseki noted that the Light-up Edo project has helped to rekindle hope in the hearts of residents within the area and made them beneficiaries of the transformation happening in the power sector of the State.
He said: “We are very grateful for what you have decided to do for us because we saw and heard tremendous testimonies of what is happening in other streets and distant places including Ring Road, Ogbe, Egor, and Ologbo.
“We have a Governor who is keen to do what he says. As we speak, there is a 24hrs power supply in Ologbo, distributed from the Ossiomo Power Plant and we are pleased about the development.
“Here in New Benin, we don’t have more than 3hrs of light from BEDC, so we are very happy you are bringing this to us, and from here, we are optimistic that we certainly begin to have light like the Ologbo community.
“The New Benin is a very big community business-wise and in terms of traders and small businesses. So, we thank you for that, we just can’t thank you enough.
“Any candidate that comes through you, we are ready to support” Chief Obaseki declared.
