The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned two 20 MVA injection substations under the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EkEDC) franchise at Randle Mechanic Village, Surulere, Lagos
The projects, facilitated through a partnership between the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the EKEDC, were fillip for the utility firm to boost power supply to the customers in the Surulere area of the state.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu commended Gbajabiamila for facilitating the projects, noting it will positively impact the residents.
The Governor, who was represented by Mr Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, said that the state government was creating the environment and working towards ensuring that in less than two years, sections of Lagos will bid a farewell to darkness in all facets.
The governor implored residents of Surulere not to do anything that will make the DisCos think twice when the government calls them for partnership.
He enjoined them to pay their bills and not beat up DisCos staff or by past metres, thereby making their business unprofitable.
Gbajabiamila who was represented by Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun said that efforts that lead to the commissioning of the two substations is a significant milestone in the collective journey towards ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply for the people of the nation.
The CoS further said: “I am happy, and particularly enthusiastic about the expected improvement of the power supply this project would bring to my people in Surulere. When I briefed Mr. President about today’s event, he was pleased about this public-private sector partnership between the Federal Government and Eko Distribution company. We owe this dividend of democracy to Mr. President.
“As the Chief of Staff to the President, I am honoured to witness the culmination of a vision nurtured through collaboration, dedication, and unwavering commitment. The Tinubu administration has shown its dedication to solving the power supply challenges of Nigeria from the get-go with the signing of the 2023 Electricity Act just days into taking over the reins of power of our country.
“Stakeholders and professionals have been engaged to achieve our dream of attaining a 24/7, uninterrupted power supply in our nation. Today’s commissioning is a testament to the power of partnership and the tireless efforts of all stakeholders involved.
“Our collaboration with Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), alongside other stakeholders, has been pivotal in bringing this project to fruition. We have demonstrated what can be achieved when public and private entities join forces with a shared purpose. As mentioned earlier, one of the two units of the 20MVA injection substation was facilitated during my tenure as Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives to restate further our commitment to the improvement of electricity supply in our community.
“I commend the automobile technicians of Randle Mechanic Village for their understanding and cooperation in allowing us to put this facility in a section of their workshop.
“The Randle Injection Substation’s significance extends far beyond its physical presence. It represents progress, empowerment, and the promise of a brighter future for the residents of Surulere and beyond. With enhanced capacity and reliability, this substation will alleviate the burden of power shortages and catalyze socio-economic development in the constituency.”
Also, Gbajabiamila tasks citizens to protect electricity infrastructure within their communities.
He said that the substations were reliable and capable to alleviate the burden of electricity shortages and catalyse socio-economic development in the consistency.
According to him, access to reliable electricity is not a privilege but a fundamental right that drives productivity, fosters innovation, and improves the quality of life for all citizens.
“Citizens must protect power infrastructure in their various communities as we expect the electricity distribution companies to address cases of estimated billing and poor meter distribution,” he said.
On his part, Chairman, EKEDC, Mr Oritsedere Otubu, said that the project will improve power supply and bring happiness, joy, growth, development, and positive economic turnaround to Lagos residents, particularly the people of Surulere.
Otubu assured that EKEDC, being an advocate of improving the quality of lives of Lagosians, is positioned to not only ensure that this thread of happiness continues but also that it is sustained.
He further said: “I must respectfully recognise and acknowledge the passion of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila towards his constituents and his vision to see that they are afforded the necessary amenities to make living worthwhile.
“Most importantly, I must thank the good people of Surulere for their steadfastness, tenacity, and patience. EKEDC stands for improving the quality of lives of its customers by providing reliable, sustainable, and safe electricity supply. This is our commitment to all our customers, and we believe that this infrastructure will help us to meet this commitment to the good people of Surulere and Lagosians.
“As we make bold our commitment, I want to use this medium to urge the residents of the Surulere Community to see this infrastructure and all other distribution infrastructure within the environs as yours. The happiness you feel when power supply is restored can only be sustained when these infrastructures are up and running. As such, power infrastructures should be protected and not vandalized. They should be guarded jealously to ensure that we are able to meet our commitment to you.
“Rest assured that we will not rest on our oars but intensify this commitment to distribute power consistently, reliably, and safely to the people.”
Managing Director, EKEDC, Dr Tinuade Sanda, said the delivery of the project means a promise fulfilled for the company, assuring that the facility would herald new days of regular power supply to the people of Surulere and its environs.
She urged the consumers to continue to pay their bills and shun energy theft so that the company could have enough resources to provide for them more quality energy transformers.
She commended Gbajabiamila and Hon. Desmond Elliot for their support on the project, assuring that EKEDC would continue to partner with both the public and private sector for quality service delivery.
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