The Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the completion and imminent inauguration of the 132/33kv electricity sub-station at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The NDDC said the sub-station, after the inauguration, would be handed over to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for operational management.

It made this known in a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, on Monday, March 18, 2024.

Ughakpoteni noted that the completion of the project followed closely on the performance bond recently signed by the commission with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

He said the electricity sub-station, when operational, will illuminate over 2,000 communities across five Local Government Areas within the oil-producing region of Ondo State, significantly impacting lives by ending decades of darkness.

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According to him, the scope of the power project covers the evacuation of light from Omotosho with a step down at Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa, through a 132KV double circuit transmission line with two 30/40MVA transformers.

He added that the transmission lines running through Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa, pass through 145 electricity towers.

The NDDC spokesman noted: “However, because of the delay over the years, the distribution lines, low-tension distribution network and relief transformers have been vandalised and they need total rehabilitation. The NDDC has awarded a contract for the total rehabilitation of the distribution network and this is currently ongoing and will be completed soon.

“Ordinarily, it is the responsibility of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to rehabilitate the distribution network but the NDDC is coming in because it is eager to hook up the power lines to the injection sub-station and enable the benefitting communities to enjoy electricity from the national grid.”

The Star