Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged residents to establish internal security measures to combat the increasing issue of vandalism and theft of electricity installations, which have caused power outages in several communities.
Speaking at the inauguration of new electrification projects in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the governor tasked citizens to complement the efforts of security agencies by safeguarding state and national assets.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Monisade Afuye, commissioned the projects at Idi-Aagba, along Ilawe Road, and New Maryland Avenue, along NTA Road.
The inauguration was part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.
Addressing enthusiastic residents, the governor pledged to connect more rural communities to the national power grid to stimulate economic activity, boost businesses, and enhance the security of lives and property.
He highlighted his administration’s commitment to electrification, pointing out that over 40 towns were reconnected to the national grid early in his tenure.
Oyebanji stressed that a stable power supply is the most effective way to fuel local economic growth and support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), thereby helping to alleviate unemployment and poverty.
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He also noted that lighting up the environment will extend nightlife, allowing traders, hoteliers, and business owners to operate later without fear of insecurity.
“It is also an established fact that a well illuminated environment can help in checkmating the activities of robbers, cultists, thieves and perpetrators of evils in our society,” the governor stated.
He implored the landlords’ associations and the youth of the benefiting areas to take ownership of the new electricity accessories and prevent them from being vandalised by criminals.
“There have been reported cases of electricity installation theft and vandalism, but with you forming internal security measures, you can prevent these from happening, and you can also enjoy the durability of these facilities,” Oyebanji said.
The Technical Advisor on Power Infrastructures, Philip Atere, revealed that the areas had previously relied on hazardous solar systems and generating sets.
He disclosed that the new Idi-Aagba and New Maryland Avenue projects are connected on the high-capacity 33 KVA line, directly linking the communities to the national grid, bypassing the lower 11 KVA control of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
Atere announced that 13 more electrification projects are currently underway across the state, with 11 concentrated in the Ado-Ekiti capital to reinforce supply.
He also noted that an upcoming project will connect the Ita Ore and Okemesi Ekiti axis.
Regretting the hardship faced by communities without power, the Technical Advisor urged residents to capitalise on the governor’s success in removing bottlenecks to acquiring prepaid meters.
He advised them to visit the Ekiti State Electricity Regulation Agency to purchase meters and avoid estimated billings.
The Chairman of the Idi-Aagba Landlords Association, Babalola Michael, expressed gratitude to the governor, noting that their area had been without power for 15 years.
He promised that the community would reciprocate the gesture with electoral support in 2026, as the project has already started attracting new residents and boosting local businesses.
