The Oyo State Government has faulted claims by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that its power projects are moribund, describing the assertion as inaccurate and misleading.
The government, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Dahud K. Shangodoyin, said the minister’s remarks did not reflect the true state of ongoing energy projects in the state.
The statement noted that the 11-megawatt Independent Power Project was completed and partially operationalised, contrary to the minister’s claim.
According to the commissioner, about 5MW of electricity was successfully commissioned and supplied to critical government infrastructure at the Agodi Secretariat for about five months during its testing phase.
Shangodoyin explained that the project was executed under a Power Purchase Agreement, adding that the state government did not provide capital funding for the project as it was fully financed by private investors.
He added that payments made by the state were strictly for electricity consumed during the testing period and not for the execution of the project.
The commissioner, however, attributed the limitation of the project to distribution challenges, noting that there was a need to extend supply beyond the Secretariat to residential and commercial areas such as the Bodija–Total Garden axis.
He said efforts were ongoing to address the structural and commercial gaps in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
On the 12MW Ibadan Independent Power (Gas) Project, the government said significant progress had been recorded.
Shangodoyin disclosed that civil works, generator base infrastructure, and other ancillary facilities were at advanced stages, while transmission infrastructure, including the installation of concrete poles and distribution fittings, was ongoing across parts of Ibadan.
He added that the project was designed to serve public institutions, street lighting, and broader economic clusters within the state.
The commissioner said the initiative marked a transition from an experimental power supply system to a more structured and scalable electricity solution.
While calling for constructive criticism, the state government maintained that such engagements must be based on verified facts.
“The statement by the Honourable Minister of Power is clearly deficient in facts and does not reflect the true position of ongoing developments in Oyo State,” the statement added.
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