EKEDC Boosts Power Supply With New 2×20 MVA Substation In Surulere
By Sulaimon Salau
Respite has landed for electricity consumers in Surulere area of Lagos, as the Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDC) commissioned a new 2×20 MVA substation to boost power supply to the network.
The Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who officially switched on the substation at Randle Avenue in Surulere, assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reliable power supply in the country.
Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Hon. Wasiu Esinlokun, said since the assumption of office, public and private stakeholders were being engaged to ensure regular power supply to the masses.
“With the delivery of today’s project we have demonstrated what can be achieved when a public and private entity joined forces with a shared purpose. One of the two units of the 20MVA injection substation was facilitated during my tenure as the speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives to reinstate further our commitment to the improvement of electricity supply in our community,” he said.
He commended the automobile technicians of Handle Mechanic Village for their understanding and cooperation.
He said the Randle Injection Substation represents progress, empowerment and the good news of a brighter future for the residents of Surulere and beyond.
“With enhanced capacity and reliability, the substation will alleviate the burden of power supply and restore hope for the residents,” he said.
Chairman, EKEDP, Dr Dere Otubu, said the project will improve power supply and bring happiness, joy, growth, development, and positive economic turnaround to Lagos residents, particularly the people of Surulere.
He assured that EKEDC, being an advocate of improving the quality of lives of Lagosians, is positioned to not only ensure that this thread of happiness continues but also, that it is sustained.
“I must respectfully recognise and acknowledge the passion of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila towards his constituents and his vision to see that they are afforded the necessary amenities to make living worthwhile.
He appreciated the stakeholders in the project: “Most importantly, I must thank the good people of Surulere for their steadfastness, tenacity, and patience. EKEDC stands for improving the quality of lives of its customers by providing reliable, sustainable, and safe electricity supply. This is our commitment to all our customers, and we believe that this infrastructure will help us to meet with this commitment to the good people of Surulere and Lagosians.
“As we make bold our commitment, I want to use this medium to urge the residents of the Surulere Community to see this infrastructure and all other distribution infrastructure within the environs as yours. The happiness you feel when power supply is restored can only be sustained when these infrastructures are up and running. As such, power infrastructures should be protected and not vandalized. They should be guarded jealously to ensure that we are able to meet our commitment to you.
“Rest assured that we will not rest on our oars but intensify this commitment to distribute power consistently, reliably, and safely to the people,” he said.
Managing Director, EKEDC, Dr Tinuade Sanda, said the delivery of the project means a promise fulfilled for the company, assuring that the facility would herald new days of regular power supply to the people of Surulere and its environs.
She urged the consumers to continue to pay their bills and shun energy theft so that the company could have enough resources to provide for them more quality energy transformers.
She commended Gbajabiamila and Hon. Desmond Elliot for their support on the project, assuring that EKEDC would continue to partner with both the public and private sector for quality service delivery.
Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, express optimism that the facility would improve the well-being of the residents, hoping the EKEDC would do more to enhance their capacity and strengthen their transformers so that customers can truly enjoy their services, while they get more revenue in return.
Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Surulere Constituency, Desmond Elliot applauded EKEDC for the project, urging that the entire Surulere should be connected to the facility.
“We thank God for this and we are hoping that every nook and crannies of Surulere will be connected to this substation because we have suffered long enough and it’s our time for enjoyment.” He said.
