For the first time in 200 years when Olooji, a community in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State was found, the residents last week experienced power supply. There was jubilation as a 100KWP solar-powered off-grid electricity system was inaugurated in the community, but the locals want more developmental projects.
Olooji, which has a population estimated at 4,500 residents, is blessed with vast land and forests. As an agrarian community, the people are known for the cultivation of cocoa, plantain, palm oil, kolanut, among other crops. Traders, especially those from the South-West usually go there to buy farm produce.
As a result of forests located on the way to the community, there are timber reserves which serve as a source of revenue generation for the government. Activities of illegal loggers are also seen in the timber reserves.
But despite their location and importance, for two centuries, the community did not enjoy electricity. And there is no good and accessible road connecting Olooji to other communities and major cities in the state.
However, respite came for the residents last week following the inauguration of a 100KWP solar-powered off-grid electricity system. The solar hybrid system was built by the Federal Government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Inaugurating the project, the Managing Director of the REA, Ahmad Salihijo, said the Federal Government was prepared to improve access to electricity in rural communities to aid socio-economic development.
“I am delighted that the people of Ijebu will henceforth enjoy clean, safe and reliable energy as deployed under the first set of grants through the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
“The REF is an initiative of the Federal Government, implemented by the REA, to promote off-grid electrification and ensure that electricity is equitably distributed across Nigeria. Interventions such as these are being delivered across all zones,” Salihijo said.
He explained that the first set of grants under the REF would see the deployment of over 19,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS).
He expressed optimism that the project would expose Olooji community to numerous investments in the nearest future.
His said, “The Federal Government understands the nexus between reliable energy and development. To deliver on our mandate, interventions such as this are designed to deliver the energy needs of Nigerians and enhance the socio-economic status of benefitting communities.
“This will ultimately boost productivity and provide jobs in the community. With the delivery of this solar hybrid mini-grid we are positive that entrepreneurial skills and resourcefulness of the people of Ijebu will be improved through the productive use of this infrastructure.
“We strongly believe that the quality of lives would be improved and children would have better learning experiences with access to reliable electricity. This project will enliven this community and expose it to greater investments in the nearest future.”
The Ajalorun of Ijebu Ife land, Adesesan Oguntayo, who oversees the community, said it was founded about 200 years ago by his forefathers and it was the first time locals in the community would witness electricity.
“This community was founded over 200 years by our forefathers from Ile Ife. Our main crop is cocoa, kolanut and palm oil and timber merchandising. Light is very important in life and we are happy that the Federal Government is interested in this community,” he said.
When our correspondent visited the community, residents expressed happiness at the gesture, saying it would bring socio-economic development to them. However, like Oliver Twist, they called for more developmental projects.
They particularly asked for good road network to enable them transport their farm produce to various cities, adding that this would boost the economy of the community and its environs.
They lamented that due to the deplorable state of their roads, it had been very difficult to move their produce out of their community, especially during the rainy season.
A trader in palm oil and resident of the community, Abosede Ibiade, appealed to the government to construct the road leading to the community for ease of doing business.
“You can see that a lot of people come from the city to buy farm produce in this community. We are very grateful for the electricity, but they should also help us to fix our road.
“During the rainy season we hardly come out of this community. Even now, you can see the deplorable condition of the road.”
Our correspondent learnt that a cooperative society has been created among members of the community to supervise and protect the project. The secretary of the Olooji Electricity Users Cooperative Society, Tajudeen Adeniyi, pledged that they, alongside all the members of the community, would ensure that the facilities are well protected.
“I am very delighted with this project. The committee has been supervising this project since it started. We have started seeing new benefits since we had light.
By God’s grace, we will do our best to ensure that the facilities are not damaged. We shall protect the project,” he said.
The supervisor for agriculture and community development in the local government, Riskat Adenokun, said Olooji residents also suffered from lack of telecommunication network; hence they cannot make or receive telephone calls.
She said, “Olooji is directly under my ward, which is Ajebandele. Before now, they used lantern at night, and there is no telecommunication network to make calls. A number of them climb trees before they can make or receive calls. Others do so by using antenna. And only few of them can make calls.
“It would take you N2,500 on a commercial motorcycle (okada) to get to the nearest filling station to the community to buy fuel to power a generating set. It is, therefore, a thing of joy for them to have access to electricity. The light is 24 hours stable and the adjoining communities are benefitting from it.’’
Speaking at the inauguration of the project, Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged that more projects would be extended to rural communities, noting that most indigenes of the state reside in such places.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Oladotun Taiwo, said electricity had tremendous socio-economic impact to rural communities.
“This project started in March 2019. Development projects that have direct bearing on our people and dear state will not be abandoned.
“Energy is key to education, agriculture, health, commerce, industry and the overall economic activities of the citizenry. We cannot underestimate the importance of energy to micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
“We appreciate that this is happening and that this development is happening in our dear state, particularly in a rural area. Majority of our people reside in rural areas. This means more development in rural areas.
“Let me state that energy is still in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, but we will continue to play our part to ensure that energy gets to our people,” he said.
Giving a graphic detail of the project, the Managing Director of ACOB Lighting Technology Limited, Alenxander Obiechina, disclosed that the solar grid had 304 panels, which would provide electricity to 4,500 residents of the community.
Obiechina also noted that over 50 jobs were provided to members of the community when the project was underway.
“We commenced and delivered this project to fulfill the best international standard. The grid has a solar capacity of 100 kilowatts completed, comprising a total of 304 pieces of solar panels.
Over 4,500 residents of Olooji are benefitting from this project, which has been connected to over 634 homes, as well as commercial users.
Over 50 direct and indirect jobs were also provided to members of this community,” he said.
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