Ajoki, oil-rich community in Edo state to enjoy 24-hr power supply, as Sahara Group, NNPC commission gas-powered electricity project
Oredola Adeola
Residents of Ajoki Community in Ikpoba, an oil-producing community in Okha Local Government Area, Edo State are about to enjoy improved and reliable power supply, following the complete installation of 24 hours gas-powered electricity project in the community, sponsored by Enageed Resources Limited, a Sahara Group Upstream Company in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The power plant was commissioned by the management of Enageed Resource Limited, a Sahara Group Company, in the company of Engr. Ethan Uzamere, Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, and leaders of the community.
In his remark, the Edo State Commissioner of Energy stated that the Ajoki gas-powered electricity project is a testimony of the transformation of Edo State from a Civil Service State to a destination of choice for investment and industrialisation.
According to him, monopoly is detrimental to the economy and the opening up of the market has ensured that already existing players wake up to their responsibilities.
He said, “We will not rest on our oars. We will continue to ensure that all private sector players in the energy market are provided with the enabling environment and the tools with which to function. We will continue to eliminate bureaucratic red tape.” he said.
Engr. Uzamere noted that the Edo State Ministry of Mining and Energy runs an open-door policy to ensure that every willing investor is motivated and given the requisite assistance, adding that this same accessibility has ensured the speedy resolution of most energy-related issues in Edo State.
He further charged the residents of the Ajoki community to own the asset. He said that the project will improve the economic activities of the people in the vicinity, provide jobs for the people and increase their hours of productivity and also reduce the issue of crime to the barest minimum.
The Commissioner commended Enageed Resources Ltd for conceiving and nurturing the laudable idea of converting the resource which could have been discharged into the atmosphere to contribute to global warming into a valuable project, adding that this aligns with the Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda of the Governor Obaseki administration.
The Commissioner said, “Edo State Government will partner with you on the scalability of this initiative to meet the needs of an even greater segment of the society. I want to implore members of this community to own these assets and protect them.
“I will communicate with the security agencies in this area as well as the local vigilante to ensure that they prioritise the protection and surveillance of the facilities of this electrification project” Engr. Uzamere said.
