Fashola Calls For Regular Collaboration With Electricity Distribution Companies

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called on stakeholders to ensure regular consultations with Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) on power distribution.

Fashola made the call on Friday when he visited the Omotosho Power Plant in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The minister, who met with stakeholders, called for collaborative efforts with DISCOs on provision of adequate information on where power was needed at different points in time.

“At anytime, power is being generated and it must be consumed since there is no storage facility for power.

“Once the power is generated without being consumed, it affects their facility and that is the reason why there is continuous adjustment for generation.

“There should be synergy and communication between the power companies and DISCOs for even power distribution and to know the peak period of consumption of power both for domestic purposes and industrial usage.

“In most cases, the peak period for domestic purposes starts at about 5:30pm when everybody returns from work.

“The peak period for industrial or official use starts by 9 am.

“Stakeholders in the sector must align on their responsibilities to meet the demand of the consumers, ” he said.

He said the host community would begin to enjoy full power supply from the plant by April when  the first phase would  be unveiled.

The Generation Manager of the company, Folusho Okarakiri,  lauded the Federal Government for its quick intervention in the area of gas supply and other logistics.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, the Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government Council, Mr Larry Ogunmosere,  commended the Federal Government for  initiating the project.

He said the plant would boost economic activities in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  Omotosho plant is a  335 megawatts  gas plant that was inaugurated in  November 2006.

The Federal Government funded 35 per cent of the cost, while the balance was funded through vendor financing provided by  China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation at an interest rate of six per cent per annum