Residents of Erin Ijesa in Oriade local government area of Osun State have commended the federal and state governments for their collaborative initiative in citing hydropower plant in the community.
This commendation was given during the visit of the committee from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to the Erin Ijesa Waterfall site, where the hydropower plant will be located.
The Odofin of Erin-Ijesa land, Chief Adebowale Samuel, while receiving the team on behalf of the town’s monarch thanked the government’s representatives for mapping out Erin-Ijesa as one of the communities that would benefit from the hydropower plant station.
He, however, pleaded with the state government to provide amenities like accessible roads to complement the provision of electricity.
Also, the Youth Leader of the community, Mr Ajimotokin Olalere commended the government for the opportunity given to their community to enjoy the privilege, promising that they would use their capacity to support the project which, according to him, would not only boost the economy of the community, but would also bring the area to limelight.
The committee, which was led by the Acting Director, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Issa Buba, had earlier paid courtesy call on Osun State Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Diji Akinola in his office.
Mr Issa Buba, while addressing the Chief of Staff and others said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was able to identify some sites that could be developed in the South West and three locations were approved which include two dams and Erin Ijesa waterfall community.
He said the ministry had contacted the state government since 2016 when the feasibility study was carried out but the process was stalled due to some factors.
He assured that that the process was now back on course.
Mr Buba said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology had the mandate for socio-economic development of the country, and that the ministry was tasked to do research on small hydropower and to partner with some state governments and other stakeholders to develop hydropower plants that could generate electricity, using local raw materials.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osun State, Dr Charles Akinola, while welcoming the team, said that their intervention was a welcome development, explaining that the economic summit in the state, held nine months ago, had such items that would boost the economy which include, but not limited to, manufacturing, employment, empowerment, mining, tourism and power generation among others.
Dr Akinola assured the team that the government would do all in its capacity to support the project to deliver as conceptualised.
