The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has organised a stakeholders’ engagement in Alimosho Local Government Area in continuation of the state government’s efforts to ensure adequate power supply to Lagos residents through various interventions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Sholabomi Mosunmola Shasore said at the event that the meeting was organised in line with the inclusive policy of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who “believes that the contributions of every resident in the State are essential to achieve the Greater Lagos vision”.
According to her, the Light Up Lagos Community Electrification Programme is an initiative of the present administration aimed at unlocking electricity distribution, transmission and metering infrastructure to deliver reliable power supply to high-impact, high-population, low-income communities in Lagos.
She explained that the pilot implementation of the power infrastructure upgrade at target communities is being concluded at Alimosho, Orelope and Okunola; Agege, Oko-Oba and Abattoir as well as in Ajah, Eleko, Magbon and Ibeju Lekki.
“This initiative was borne out of the desire of the state government to improve the standard of living of Lagos residents, contribute to their economic activities; increase in productivity; job creation and ultimately boost the businesses of small and medium scale enterprises including artisans who rely primarily on electricity for the survival of their businesses, as well improve the overall wellbeing of all residents in the state”, she further said.
While informing that the expected impact is to improve power supply (up to 20 hours) to target communities and create a catalyst for further investment across low-income communities in the state, Shasore said that 8,613 service addresses connected to the feeders being installed would benefit from the improved supply covering almost 10,000 households.
She said: “While the state government had intervened in the functionality of electricity supply to various communities within Alimosho as a whole, the Sanwo-Olu administration is now taking it a step further by engaging with residents who are the critical stakeholders in this power intervention. Your participation is required to ensure that you reap the benefits of this power infrastructure upgrade.
“With this engagement, the state government seeks to ensure that you know your role in realising the goal of this intervention and look out and protect the infrastructure as your own. I implore the leadership of relevant CDAs (Community Development Areas), who are direct beneficiaries of this power project, to take ownership of this electrification infrastructure and protect it against vandals”.
The Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of prompt payment of electricity bills, protection against energy theft, discouragement of meter bypassing and other illegal acts that might jeopardise the overall intention of the state government to improve power supply to Alimosho and its environs.
She explained that the developments in the power sector with the recent amendment of the power provision in the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 are indicative that great things are to come with regard to power and the state is at the forefront.
Shasore submitted that the electricity infrastructure that has been put in place in the communities will guarantee reliable power supply as incidents of power failure, faulty transformers, cables, high and low electric current and inadequate electricity poles among others have been fully addressed.
“It is worthy to note that Alimosho Local Government and its environs have always been identified as an integral part of the Greater Lagos Rising project under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and as such it is set to enjoy more dividends of democracy and good governance going forward”, she said.
