Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration is uncomfortable with the perpetual outages currently being experienced in major parts of the state. 

“Having a substantial part of Ondo State in darkness is simply unacceptable,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said on Tuesday. 

He disclosed this while inaugurating a committee to oversee the period of the regulatory oversight transfer from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to the state government.

The governor noted the significance of constant electricity supply to the state, saying his government was now moving towards energy independence. 

According to Mr Aiyedatiwa, the state will soon address the demands of the people by ensuring a more reliable and sustainable power supply. 

He said, “By taking charge of our regulatory framework, we can better address the unique needs of our state and ensure a more reliable and sustainable power supply for our citizens.’’ 

The governor, however, emphasized the importance of the transition for Ondo state’s development, adding that the committee was made up of experienced men and women in the power sector. 

“This committee is a vital step towards achieving our goal of a more efficient and locally controlled electricity regulatory market,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

Members of the committee include Tunji Light Ariyomo, who is the chairman, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, and Johnson Alabi, who is to serve as the vice chairman. 

Other members of the committee are Iyabo Adefemi, a former regional head of BEDC, and Olumayowa Ajumobi, the Director of Planning of the Ondo State Power Company while the state coordinator of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, Stephen Bolawole will serve as the secretary. 

Also, Gbenga Akeju will represent the Transmission Company of Nigeria as a member of the committee and the BEDC has been directed to nominate a representative. 

The committee’s principal mandate is to develop modalities for the improvement of electricity supply within the state, ensure the smooth transfer of authority from federal institutions to the state and enhance local governance and control over electricity for the benefit of the people of Ondo State,

Meanwhile, the transition is expected to streamline regulatory processes, enhance accountability, and ultimately lead to improvements in electricity supply and distribution within the state.

It is also expected to work closely with various stakeholders, including NERC, and the Benin Disco to ensure a smooth and effective handover as it will mark a milestone in the state’s journey towards energy independence.

The inauguration of the committee is coming barely two days after the BEDC in a public notice announced a planned outage in Ondo and Ekiti states to carry out maintenance work on the 132KV Akure/Osogbo transmission line of the TCN. 

The distribution company claimed that the outage in the two states would be between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm commencing on July 1 to August 31, 2024. 

However, the move has been suspended following the intervention of the TCN after public condemnation and outcry from residents of the two states.