The Federal government has commenced steps to install an $ 8 million 1x60MVA, 132/33KV transmission sub-station in Oro, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara state, worth N8milli all m aimed to transform, for the better, the lives of the people of Oro in particular and the entire Irepodun Local Government in general.

Speaking while performing ground breaking of the project in Oro on Thursday, the minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the power substation, expected to be completed in 18 months with a 5kilometre turn-in-turn-out Offa-Omu-Aran, 132KV double circuit transmission lines.

“The project will lead to an improved power supply to Oro and its environs, boost economic activities in these areas, especially for artisans and small and large medium-scale businesses, and enhance the social development of the people.

He also implored the people of Oro to see this project as their own and to jealously protect it.

“Of course, our reliance must not be on this project alone. We must continue to own and protect similar recent projects in this area, including the tarred intra-city roads at Oro, the ICT Centres at Oro Grammar School and Offa Grammar School, as well as the modern hospitals at Oro and Igbaja. These projects, which are dividends of democracy, are aimed at enhancing the quality of life of our people.

“I want to say that there are more from where these projects came from. Therefore, I implore you all to continue to support our party at all levels so that we can continue to deliver to you the dividends of democracy. This is the essence of governance”, he said.

Also speaking, the managing director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr Sule Abdulaziz, said that the Oro project is one of the federal government's projects executed by TCN towards achieving the mandate of making reliable and quality bulk electricity available for DisCos to distribute to customers of electricity.

“When completed, the substation will serve over 178,610 people spread across Oro and Irepodun Local Government Areas and environs. Oro people are known for their relentless resolve for entrepreneurship and self-empowerment. The new substation project will help boost the socio-economic well-being of the people”, he said.

The TCN boss also said that the 132/133KV Oro substation had been carefully designed by a team of engineers to provide additional electricity requirements for the area with room for expansion to meet future electricity needs.

“No doubt, providing quality and reliable electricity supply will help accelerate the socio-economic development of Oro town, Kwara state, and Nigeria at large.

Presently, Oro solely depends on a nearby 7.5MVA 33/11KV injection substation which takes supply from the 33KV Isanlu feeder radiating from the TCN 2X30MVA, 132/33kV Substation at Omu Aran, this will soon change as soon as the Oro substation is completed.

“As of now, the Isanlu feeder supplies about 8MW to 11 towns, including Oro. The growth in power consumption in Oro and its environs necessitated the conception and award of the Oro 132/33kV Transmission Substation.

“The substation will be fed through the Offa-omu Aran 2X132kv double-circuit transmission line.

“I want to use this opportunity to especially thank, the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed for making this project a reality. He is indeed a true son of the soil”.