By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commissioned 67 communities electrification project in Ibeju- Lekki , Akodo areas of the state , saying his administration will not tolerate residents resistance to developmental projects in the state.
Ambode at the commissioning event held in ibeju-Lekki said his administration was moved to embark on the project because of the ordeals the communities were subjected to for lack of access to electricity.
According to him, “It will be recalled that the light up Lagos advisory committee was inaugurated December 10, 2015.”
The committee consists of the Gencos, Discos and other stakeholders in the sector.”
The governor explained that the committee was one of the tripods on which the light-up Lagos initiative rest upon, saying undertake community electrification and Street-lighting, saying that the project fell under the community light-up initiative, saying the attention of the state government was drawn to the challenges of the residents of the 68 communities for over five years.
“We commenced work last October. 33 KV high-tension lines were laid from the Ajah Sub-station to the Eleko junction. And from there, the power supply was distributed to the 68 communities. 131.5 kilometers high-tension network was rehabilitated and 86 transformers were provided at a cost of N600 million.
“We have demonstrated our intention to run an all inclusive government. And it will boost the socio-economic activities of this axis. 34 communities is been addressed and before September, we shall connect them to the national grid.
“As we do this, we will intensify our light-up initiative because the vision is to light-up all roads in the state. Through this, we are re- affirming our commitment to the wellbeing of the residents of Lagos irrespective of their location,” he said.
The governor decried that ‘”The disturbances we had at the Lekki Free Trade Zone is not acceptable. We must cooperate with the government to bring development to the state. A government white-paper on the disturbances that occurred recently would be released”.
In order to run an all inclusive government, the governor hinted that he will soon commence the tour of all councils in the state to commission projects that will further improve the wellbeing of the residents.
“We would listen to their complaints. We will commence metering exercise. I know that all houses here do not have meters. And that was why we have decided to commence the metering exercise by April. While the fixing last, the state government will bear the cost of the power supply used,” he said.