Politics
Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has tasked all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to rise up to their responsibilities and ensure improved electricity services.
Tofowomo said that DisCos should ensure that damaged poles and cables were repaired for consumers to enjoy electricity supply.
Tofowomo made the call during his inspection visit to the Erinje Power Transmission Station, Okitipupa, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He said that virtually all discos in the country had failed Nigerians.
“We have about 13 Discos in Nigeria; they have all failed Nigerians. They are not functioning as expected. They are just using old resources that are there to work and tap money.
“For instance, BEDC has been there for many years, they should have repaired all the damaged poles and other things in the communities because without the good state of those things, the efforts of this project will not be felt.
“What they do is telling communities to collect money before they can repair and that is wrong. So, I see them as irresponsible bodies,” he said.
According to him, he will move a motion on the floor of the Senate after Easter holiday that government should enforce the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to repair all the damages within 60 days so that the transmission station can function.
“When stations start functioning, they will be held down if damages of poles and others are not repaired,” he said.
Tofowomo, who expressed joy at the level of work at the transmission station, said that he would keep playing his constitutional roles to his constituents till his tenure expired.
“I thought it necessary to come and see the level of work done here since I will end my tenure as a senator on June 11; to see all the efforts I have put in place.
“I am happy with all I can see because all the cables between Omotoso and Erinje are installed, and the equipment that was bought but put in store when I visited before had been installed.
“From what they told me, from next week, they will start testing all the equipment for functionality. This is a good development. And I’m so happy that I am getting good result.
“I fought for this project single-handedly to come into limelight. I put so many things in place; I made so many noises so that it could attract attention.
“My project for my constituency is going to be continuous for the last day I have at the Senate. Just last week, we offered free medical service to the people and it is going to be continuous. And the good thing is that the 2022 budget is going to run till December.
“Some of my projects that I put into place, I will see them through till I leave. So, I am not sleeping,” he stated.
He tasked all stakeholders to rise up and ensure that the project functions and provides electricity for the people of the southern part of the state, adding that he would not relent until the aim was achieved.
The senator, who spoke on the devolution of power law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, described the step as a good one, adding that it must be done with sense.
“For instance, is Ondo State generating power now, no. So, the paper must be done properly and it is not just about signing into law.
“All of us must sit down and look at how this power will be distributed. How it will function, the resources on ground. The DISCO that is functioning, do you want to throw them away. So, it is not a cowboy thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, the senator also inaugurated a block of six classrooms that he facilitated to the LA Practising Primary School, Ode Aye in the local government area.
Tofowomo explained that he facilitated the project because of the passion he had for quality education toward his constituents.
“Some initially thought it was a political gimmick when I promised it but now it’s a reality. The classrooms have good ceiling fans and are solar-powered as you can see.
“I have facilitated no fewer than 10 kinds of this project across my constituency. Eight of them are completed while two are yet to be completed.
“I urge the beneficiaries to ensure proper maintenance of the project for optimal benefits. We must see it as our project that should not die and I will be getting feedback from them as well,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the southern part of the state has been without electricity supply for over 10 years. (NAN)
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Tags: Discos Erinje Power Transmission Station Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo
