By Elizabeth ADENUGA
A group known as Bring Back Our Light (BBOL) on Friday in Okitipupa lauded the Federal Government for restoring electricity to Ode-Aye Town in Okitipupa LGA of Ondo State, after a decade.
Some other communities in the southern part of the state – Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs were also disconnected from the national grid by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over an alleged debt.
The Federal Government through the Niger-Delta Power Holding Company Ltd. (NDPHCL), however, began repair of electrical cables, poles, transformers and other facilities in August after a meeting with the state government and other stakeholders.
The BBOL group, which has been in the forefront of agitation for restoration of power to the communities, also thanked youths, community members and others who contributed to the restoration.
The Convener of BBOL group, Mr Olumide Akinrinlola, said that the Federal Government should also reconnect the remaining communities to the national grid.
Akinrinlola urged residents of Ode-Aye not to be carried away by the restoration but to continue in the struggle for reconnection of the other communities.
“We thank God who has delivered his people following the reconnection of Ode Aye Community to the national grid in line with the directive of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
“We are happy for the breakthrough, especially with the intervention of the Federal Government in major repairs of the electrical facilities in Ondo South.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to also reconnect the entire southern part of Ondo State,” he said.
