By Friday Omosola
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has urged citizens to actively monitor their communities and prevent vandals from sabotaging electrical infrastructure essential for improving power supply and fostering steady economic growth.
He also cautioned communities facing unrest to be mindful of their actions, noting that the government will reconsider initiating any projects in unstable environments for security reasons.
The governor made these known on Thursday while commissioning two significant electricity projects: a 33 kVA Aramoko-Ijero project in Ijero Ekiti and another for Ilawe-Igbala Odo Ekiti.
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding power facilities, Oyebanji reiterated that no community can thrive amid continuous darkness and unreliable power supply.
“Light and development are like twins. Any town without electricity will find it difficult to develop. I can see the stagnation and difficulty for Ijero to develop in this situation. From today, economic activities will go up. Our traders, fashion designers, welders, bakers and other artisans will enjoy the full benefit and our local economy will be transformed. Some of the teachers and doctors posted here won’t seek posting to other towns that are electrified.
“For you to enjoy this facility, form a surveillance and watch over it. Don’t allow vandals to destroy it. Those who are destroying our facilities are living within us. They are our people, so help us beg and appeal to them to desist from this unwholesome act. This project is not going to benefit Ijero alone, but all the towns in the local government”, he said.
Furthermore, Oyebanji urged residents to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that all households are equipped with meters.
“It has happened in Ikogosi, Aramoko and Erinjiyan. But if you don’t get the meters, you will only see the facilities, you won’t see the light. I want to discourage the culture of bulk or estimated billings so that you can only pay for the electricity used, nobody will cheat you”, he said.
Oyebanji has committed to extending electricity to the General Hospital in Ijero Ekiti, ensuring that the power supplied meets the facility’s operational needs effectively.
Addressing the deteriorating condition of the Aramoko-Ijero road, which poses a significant risk to commuters, Oyebanji emphasised that it is a federal road.
He assured that efforts are being intensified to engage federal lawmakers in advocating for the necessary attention and prompt action from the federal government.
Regarding the ongoing crisis in Ayegunle, a satellite town under Ijero Ekiti, involving a dispute between the traditional ruler and a faction, Oyebanji called on the community to prioritize peace. He warned that the current unrest could hinder the town’s progress and development if not addressed swiftly.
“Let us allow our traditional rulers to handle it. Let us await how the matter will be resolved. It is a traditional issue that we believe our traditional rulers can handle effectively. Let us allow them to handle it to restore peace to the town.”
During the commissioning of the electricity extension to Igbara-Odo and Ogotun Ekiti in Ilawe Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji announced that these communities, which previously sourced their power from Ondo State, would now receive a more reliable and stable electricity supply from the Ado Ekiti 33KVA substation.
This transition he said promised to enhance the quality of power delivery in the area.
