To tackle Nigeria’s electricity deficit and improve the power supply in the nation, Dr. Deji Adeleke, a prominent Nigerian business magnate and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, initiated the construction of a 1,250-megawatt power plant in Ajebandele village, Ondo State. However, this ambitious $2 billion project is now facing significant delays due to looting at the site.
Nigeria, a country with a potential electricity generation capacity of 12,522MW, struggles to dispatch more than 4,000MW, leaving over 200 million people grappling with inadequate power supply. This situation prompted Adeleke to take action and contribute to the existing power generation by constructing the power plant.
Speaking at the 9th graduation ceremony of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Adeleke expressed his commitment to nation-building and emphasized the need for citizens to take responsibility for their actions.
He asserted that it was vital for everyone to play their part and hold leaders accountable to achieve positive change.
Adeleke explained, “I am building a 1250MW power plant; Nigeria has about 5,000 MW, adding mine to it is a lot. The cost is $2 billion. We started it in a village in Ondo state. We brought in turbines that cost about $72 million.”
The construction of the power plant provided employment opportunities for over 1000 individuals, with a significant portion hailing from the local village. Adeleke highlighted the importance of engaging young men from the community to assist in safeguarding the power plant against potential security threats.
However, the project has hit a major setback as looters infiltrated the power plant site, stealing components of the turbine machines worth approximately $5 million.
These stolen items, made with copper, were massive and required at least ten people to lift each one. Adeleke suspects that the looters might have used trucks to transport the stolen goods away from the site under the cover of darkness.
Due to the theft and damage caused, the completion of the power plant is now expected to be delayed for another year. Adeleke lamented that the replacement of the stolen components would cost the project an additional $5 million.
To prevent further security breaches, the management had to dismiss some of the young employees from the village and hire security personnel from top agencies in Nigeria to safeguard the entire plant.
Despite challenges faced during the project, Adeleke remained steadfast in his dedication to Nigeria. He turned down a special exemption letter from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because the UAE had banned Nigerians from visiting the country. This decision was in line with his principle of standing in solidarity with fellow Nigerians.
In a bid to address the nation’s power crisis comprehensively, a constitutional amendment was signed into law, allowing Nigeria’s 36 states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their regions covered by the national grid.
This development, termed the Fifth Alteration Bill No. 33, Devolution of Powers (National Grid System), empowers states to enter the electricity generation business.
As the nation grapples with energy challenges, the completion of Dr. Deji Adeleke’s 1,250-megawatt power plant project would have been a significant milestone in improving Nigeria’s power supply.
However, with the setback caused by the looting, it is evident that securing and protecting critical infrastructure is crucial for the nation’s development and prosperity
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