By Isaac Olamikan
Residents of Benin metropolis have hailed the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on the ongoing street-lightening project across the metropolis, nothing that the initiative is boosting economic activities and nightlife in the ancient city.
The street-lightening initiative of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration was conceived to provide illumination at night and boost economic activity through a power purchase agreement with Ossiomo Power, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) that now generates 95MW of power at its power station in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The firm provides 24/7 electricity to the Benin Industrial Park and powers streetlights across Benin metropolis, as well as public establishments, including the State Secretariat, Government House, Edo Specialist Hospital, Stella Obasanjo Hospital, among others.
The streetlights are currently active on Sapele Road, Airport Road, Kings Square, Akenzua Road, Oba Market, among others.
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A cross-section of the residents, who spoke with journalists at the weekend, hailed the governor for achieving the milestone through an innovative power purchase agreement, which has saved taxpayers the burden of paying for the service through diesel-powered generators, which is less cost-effective.
Mr. Dennis Osaigbovo, who resides in Akenzua Road, expressed appreciation to the governor for the initiative, noting that Akenzua, Stadium Road and environs now wear a new look at night.
“We are indeed happy with the street-lightening initiative. It was announced that the governor was going to embark on the exercise, but we didn’t anticipate that it was going to be executed in this sort of fashion. This is obviously a product of deep thinking,” Osaigbovo said.
A business owner on the Airport Road axis, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan, said that the initiative has revived night-life in the area as a lot of people are now more comfortable to do business late into the night without fear.
“It is a laudable initiative. We are very happy and grateful for the well thought-out initiative, providing streetlights without having to worry that the government is burning money on diesel,” Akpan said.
