By Oluwatosin Maliki
The indigenes of Araromi Oke-Odo in Ife-South Local Government Area of Osun State who had been in total darkness for 91 years, have been blessed with electricity, as a power plant company in conjunction with World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria has generated 50 Kilowatts solar power electricity for over 700 houses.
The residents of the community were engulfed with jubilation following the supply of electricity to the town for the very first time after 91 years of darkness. The project of the newly installed powerplant started in 2019, completed in 2023.
The indigenes of the community trooped out en mass in jubilation at the weekend, with many of them describing the development as a miracle of the century.
The monarch of the town, Oba Abbas Akanbi the Alara of Araromi-Okeodo, led his chiefs and subjects to the off-grid location of the 50 kilowatts responsible for the supply of power during its inauguration.
Oba Akanbi while speaking with newsmen said he did not believe that a power supply would be possible in his lifetime.
Furthermore, the traditional monarch of the community, Oba Abbas Akanbi, during the commissioning of the project, expressed gratitude to the Federal government and World Bank for the intervention including the private company, Sholep Energy for undertaking the task of providing electricity after 91 years.
He stated, “This is a good history in Ife-South Local Government. This town has been existing since 1932. In fact, we have been making efforts on this light about 20 years. We didnt believe when Sholep energy came in 2019. By the grace of God, nothing will be stolen.
“We have worked on the security of the property and we have agreed with our people to purchase the light and pay regularly. I’m very sure that development will start coming in. We are sure that investors will come now because we’ve been receiving calls.”
Also, in attendance was the Managing Director of Sholep Energy Limited, Engr Olalekan Shogbesan who explained that, “this solar hybrid powerplant is 50KW. It was financed by us with support from World Bank and Rural Electrification Agency.
“We discovered that the village is viable. The project will power the whole community up to 700 houses. We are providing 24hour uninterrupted electricity for ten years. We have necessary equipment including 110kva generator newly installed . We are seeking for government cooperation.”
Similarly, the Osun State Commisioner for Energy, Ademola Adeyemo, disclosed that, “There are projects of this nature going on in eight different communities in Ife-South. We are extending the ssme gesture to other communities in other local government in Osun.”
In addition, he said, “State government is also envisaging 100kwt in different places that will belong to the state government. The state government is partnering with foreign investors to give energy to our state. There are many communities that are not under grid, so the state government is allowing independent energy to fill the gap to light up Osun state.”