After 91 years, Araromi Oke-Odo in Ife-South Local Government Area of Osun State has finally been brought out of darkness. A power plant company, in conjunction with the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria, has generated 50 kilowatts of solar power electricity for over 700 houses, as reported by The Nation.
The residents of the community are filled with joy and excitement due to the newly installed power plant, which began in 2019 and was completed in 2023.
During the commissioning of the project, the traditional monarch of the community, the Alara of Araromi Oke-Odo, Oba Abass Gbadamosi, expressed his gratitude to the Federal government, the World Bank, and the private company Sholep Energy for intervening and providing electricity after 91 years.
He stated, "This is a significant milestone for Ife-South Local Government. This town has been in existence since 1932, and we have been striving for electricity for about 20 years. We didn't believe it when Sholep Energy came in 2019. By the grace of God, nothing will be stolen. We have taken measures to ensure the security of the property, and we have agreed with our people to purchase the electricity and pay regularly. I am confident that development will now start to flourish, and I am certain that investors will come as we have been receiving calls."
The Managing Director of Sholep Energy Limited, Engr Olalekan Shogbesan, disclosed that "this solar hybrid power plant is 50KW. It was financed by us with support from the World Bank and the Rural Electrification Agency. We found that the village is viable, and the project will provide electricity to the entire community, consisting of around 700 houses, for 24 hours a day for ten years. We have installed the necessary equipment, including a newly installed 110kva generator. We are seeking government cooperation."
Similarly, the Osun State Commissioner for Energy, Ademola Adeyemo, revealed that "projects of this nature are underway in eight different communities in Ife-South. We are extending the same gesture to other communities in different local governments in Osun."
He added, "The state government is also planning for 100kwt in various locations, which will belong to the state government. We are partnering with foreign investors to provide energy to our state. There are many communities that are not yet connected to the grid, so the state government is allowing independent energy to fill the gap and light up Osun state."