A scheme aimed at enhancing the use of electricity in the various sectors of the state’s economy, has taken off in Ondo State.
Particularly, the scheme which will run in collaboration with the Federal Government, will expectedly improve electricity use in the health, education, agriculture, and transport sectors to stimulate overall socioeconomic development.
Christened the e-HEART initiative, the scheme is part of efforts to enhance governance and policy implementation in the various sectors of the economy.
Its e-HEART acronym means as follows: e – Electricity for H – Health; E – Education; A – Agriculture; R – Rural Development; and T – Transportation.
While inaugurating the scheme’s steering commitee in Akure the state capital, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the would midwife its implementation in the state.
Describing Ondo as one of the first states in the country to embrace and implement the initiative, he said the scheme was set set up to cater for the welfare of rural dwellers across the state.
He said with States now empowered to generate and regulate electricity in their domain, Ondo is already taking steps towards improving power supply to its people.
Aiyedatiwa urged the committee to come up with a good template that will drive the scheme’s implementation, as pledged his commitment to its adequate funding.
In his speech, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Engr. Johnson Alabi, who doubles as the Chairman of the committee, noted that the e-HEART program is an initiative promoted by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to enhance sustainable electricity in rural areas.
He said the initiative will be funded at the ratio of 60:30:10 by the partners. He described it as a high impact program that will enhance the state’s socioeconomic development.
Alabi commended the Governor for his swift support for the initiative which demonstrates his administration’s commitment towards the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Alhaji Ibrahim Olabode Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of other members of the committee, appreciated the Governor for his efforts in driving the State forward, pledging that the committee would work hard to ensure that the project becomes a success.
Members of the committee include the Permanent Secretaries of the participating MDAs, and the Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Dr. Gbenga Fasua, who represents the Local Government chairmen.
