Update on Ogbomoso 132KV as TCN conducts tests at site

Update on Ogbomoso 132KV as TCN conducts tests at site

Khalid ABRAHAM

Hope for the completion of the 132KVA power station at Temidire/Ajeja, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, hangs in the balance as the federal government is yet to approve the next phases of the project.

This is according to Engr. Olatubosun John Obajinmi, Ag. Head of Regulatory Unit of one of the federal government agencies in the power sector. He has been pushing for years for the completion of the project leveraging on the advantaged position he occupies.

Also, ogbomosoinsightonline.com gathered that a team from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was in Ogbomoso Wednesday, to conduct foundation tests on the work done so far in respect of the transmission towers at the station.

Engr. Obajinmi, who is also the national president of the Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria, told ogbomosoinsightonline.com that being an indigene with knowledge of the workings in the power sector, there was need for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to get approval from the federal government in respect of the variations in the contract award since it’s not a fresh contract.

“All that is required is for a no-objection pronouncement, which implies all agencies such as the TCN, NERC (National Electricity Regulatory body) etc, are in agreement with the variations. If that stage is passed the contractor can recommence work,” Obajinmi averred.

American Open University

He however informed that DG BPP had been contacted to look into the recommendations “for no objections from TCN.”

This is as he stated that the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, has also been on the matter since when he met President Bola Tinubu few months ago in Abuja. The Soun passionately appealed to the President in a televised conversation, to expedite action on the project, adding that the monarch had promised to reach out to the DG BPP on the matter.

Alhaji Yekeen Woleola (an aide of Senator Fatai Buhari) with one of the expatriates working on the project

The TCN team successfully carried out the foundation test on the transmission towers, though the process would continue today. It is to ascertain the quality of work done, following which all the towers and lines would be installed and NEMSA would issue

L inspection certificate. Thereafter, the station will be energized.

The team, sources informed Ogbomoso Insight, later affirmed the disclosures by Obajinmi that the only snag now was the approval. The leader of the team reportedly said that if the approval was issued this week, the project, which started about 16 years ago, would be completed by December.

The source similarly asserted that the BPP needs to take the necessary steps to facilitate the approval to get the work done in earnest.

At this stage therefore Obajinmi noted that there was need for concerted efforts to get the approval so required obtained.

It is learnt meanwhile that the Soun, Senator Fatai Buhari (representing Oyo North Senatorial District), Hon Olufemi Onireti (Director General of the City Boy Movement, Oyo state branch) and others have been contacted to wade in to get the task done.