OGSG Promises More Rural Electrification to Stem Rural-Urban Drift

The Ogun State government has assured the people of the state that provision of electricity to rural areas will be a continuous exercise to stem the tide of rural-urban drift.

The measure will also improve the living standards of rural dwellers.The assurance was given by The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Adetayo Adewale, while speaking at the installation of solar street lights at Temidire Ogbonselu in Ayetoro and Biotiku Ashipa in Yewa North and Ado-Odo/Ota local government areas of the state respectively.

Speaking during the installation, the permanent secretary, represented by the Director of Rural Electrification, Engr. Ismail Balogun said about 20 communities, cutting across the three senatorial districts of the state had benefited from provision of the solar street lights.

Adewale stated that the effort was geared towards ensuring an improved standard of living for those in the rural communities, noting that the step would go a long way in curbing rural-urban migration and reduce it to the barest minimum, assuring that provision of electricity to the rural communities would be a continuous one.

He said: ‘’The provision of solar electricity to rural communities which is one of the mandates of the ministry is to boost the economic activities of the communities, as well as to guide against any external forces.

“He appealed to the benefiting communities to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, the Baale of Temidire Ogbonselu, Chief Biala Ogbonselu, who was full of praises for the state government, said members of the communities had been looking forward to such development, promising adequate maintenance of the equipment.

Customs Boss Inspects Proposed 100 Hectares Customs Training College, Government Warehouse

Visits Agro International Airport in Ogun

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi last Monday inspected the proposed 100 hectares Customs Training College, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ headquarters as well as Government Warehouse and Agro Cargo International Airport at Ilishan Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.Speaking at the site, the Ag. CGC expressed delight at the progress made so far while pledging commitment to be a responsible neighbour to the government of Ogun State.

He said: “We are happy that we are going to be your neighbours, and I can commit to you that we are going to be very responsible neighbours; we are going to operate in a way that will make Ogun State proud.

”Adeniyi urged the contractors to work within the time frame of the contract period as the project was going to be strategic to the future of Customs operations.

“As we try to get our process right, as we try to bring innovation, we now need outstanding infrastructural support to drive these operations. We are going to be very strict with the contract period. We can not afford the airport to take off too far away before we start here. So we want some kind of development to be happening side by side. I believe that our presence here will add value to the airport just like we believe that the airport will also add value to us,” he said.

Ogun State Commissioner of Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, highlighted the accessibility of the area and the expected period for the completion of the Agro Cargo International Airport.

“The target for us to get this project ready is the end of the year. The runway is completely done, the control tower is about 90%, and all the equipment needed is completely procured.

“In terms of capacity, there is enough room to grow. Right now, we have a warehouse under construction with a terminal building where you will be able to help us, man. So, things are taking shape, and the governor is really pushing up to get everything done by the end of the year,” Akinsanya said.

The Ag. Comptroller General, in the company of the commissioner, the project manager, as well as his management team, took a tour of the proposed Customs project site and the airport.