The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to certain inaccurate statements made by the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, regarding the status of power projects within the State. It is important to clearly set the records straight in the interest of the public.
Firstly, the 11MW Independent Power Project (IPP) was indeed completed and partially operationalised. About 5MW was successfully commissioned, and it supplied electricity to critical government infrastructure at the Agodi Secretariat for approximately five months during its testing phase.
However, it must be clearly stated that:
• The project operated under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) arrangement.
• Oyo State Government did not release capital funds to the contractor for the project, as the project was fully funded by the private investment.
• Payments made were strictly for electricity consumed during the testing period, not for project execution.
The limitation observed was not in generation alone but in distribution expansion, particularly the need to extend supply beyond the Secretariat to residential and commercial corridors such as Bodija–Total Garden axis. Efforts are ongoing to resolve these structural and commercial gaps with the project partners.
PROGRESS ON THE 12MW IBADAN INDEPENDENT POWER (GAS) PROJECT
In line with our forward-looking energy strategy, the State has commenced a more sustainable and technically robust project — the 12MW Ibadan Independent Power Gas Project.
Current status:
• The project is significantly advanced, with civil works, generator base infrastructure, and ancillary facilities well underway.
• Transmission infrastructure is progressing, including installation of concrete poles and distribution fittings across key parts of Ibadan.
• The project is designed not just for government use, but to serve strategic public institutions, street lighting, and expand to wider economic clusters.
This project represents a shift from experimental power supply to a structured, scalable, and integrated electricity solution for Oyo State.
While constructive criticism is welcome, it must be anchored on verified information.
The statement by the Honourable Minister of Power is, therefore, clearly deficient in facts and does not reflect the true position of ongoing developments in Oyo State.
E-signed
Prof Dahud K Shangodoyin
Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources