By 
The people of the South Senatorial District of the State, have been promised electricity next year after fourteen years of darkness.
Senator representing them at the National Assembly, Nicholas Tofowomo, said respite is on the way, as they will be reconnected to the national grid next year.
The PDP stalwart, gave the assurance during a facility tour of the ongoing power installation sub-station in Erinje, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
The project is being handled by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The South Senatorial District district comprises Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, Ese-Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas (LGAs) and was disconnected from the national grid by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over an alleged debt running to several millions of naira.
The Senator’s displeasure on this ugly development and series of actions to set things right, resulted in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, compelling NDDC to move back to the project site.
Tofowomo said that he was impressed with the 95 per cent completion of the work being done at the 33 MW sub-station, saying communities in the district would enjoy uninterrupted power supply by 2022 Easter celebration.
“It’s so disheartning that the Southern part of the state can be in blackout for 14 years while Okitipupa LGA hosted Omotosho Power Plant and the Erinje Power Sub-Station “.
“I thank the Senate President for allowing me to move the motion at the plenary and I thank the Senate for intervening in the case and also thank the NDDC for moving back to site to complete the sub-station “.
According to him, “The project is now at 95 per cent completion and I urge constituents to be patient with the contractors, as I can assure them that they will celebrate next year’s Easter with uninterrupted power supply “.
An excited community leader in Erinje, Mr Solomo Bitire, commended Tofowomo for taking the bold step on the issue, thanked youths of the area for not disrupting activities at the sub station site and the Bring Back Our Light (BBOL) group, convened by Olumide Akinrinlola, who first championed the struggle all through the 14 years of blackout.
“We thank all stakeholders who have contributed to this struggle, especially the NDDC, Tofowomo and BBOL. I pray that at the end we will witness electricity again in this district ” Bitire said.
