Efforts to
turn the Ozoro corridor in Delta State into an industrial hub may have
received the desired boost as over 200 commercial entities are to
benefit from the construction of 20 megawatts off-grid power plant...
And to achieve this initiative, the Benin
Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) recently signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Thames Energy Limited and the Delta State
government for the development of the power plant.
The MoU signing ceremony, which took
place at BEDC head office in Benin signaled a tripartite partnership
that is expected to galvanise the potential of several commercial
entities in addition to rejuvenating the economy of the Isoko community
thus making the location an economic hub for Delta State.
Managing Director/Chief Executive
Officer, BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, in her opening remarks at the
ceremony, said the company was poised to make the project a reality with
a view to improving on the socio-economic development of the Isoko
people and Delta State at large.
Osibodu explained that no urban renewal
or development concept could be said to be complete without power
supply, adding that BEDC’s involvement in the deal was informed by the
quest for and commitment at improving the quality of life of customers
through the provision of reliable and stable electricity supply with
limited interruptions.
In his remarks, Executive Director,
Commercial, Dr. Abu Ejoor, commended the people of Ozoro for creating a
peaceful and friendly environment for the project to take off. The
Executive Director said the project, when completed, will improve the
lot of the people, create jobs, reduce poverty and create enterprise.
On his part, the Managing Director of
Thames Energy Limited, Mr. Akpovi Oyo, assured that the power plant
project would be completed within 18 months, saying that power was one
of the biggest industries which required tapping into with a view to
enable sustenance in the economy.
He disclosed that the rationale for the
project was to ginger Delta State into improving the lot of its people,
creating jobs and reducing poverty.
“It is an off-grid project where
20megawatts of electricity would be installed in the first phase, while
the second, third and fourth phases will come up based on demand. In a
couple of weeks, a ground breaking will be done for construction to kick
off immediately,” he pledged.
In his remarks, Delta State Commissioner
for Urban Renewal, Ilolo Oghenekaro, commended BEDC for its display of
professionalism in the packaging of the project, declaring that Delta
State was committed to the development of key infrastructure that will
improve the economy.
“You cannot renew any urban centre
without critical infrastructure like power, hence the basis for the
Delta State government’s partnership with BEDC and Thames Energy on the
project.
“Power is the biggest industry that is
emerging out of the 21st century industry, which will be bigger than
telecoms and there is need to key into the sector in such a way that it
will help everybody. Delta State is willing to provide any form of
assistance to make this project a success,” he assured.
He noted that when completed, the project will boost the economy, business activities and create employment.
No comments: