POWER OUTAGE: YOUTHS PROTEST IN ORDER, SAYS ONDO GOVERNMENT

When reminded that the protesters also blamed the State Government for the power situation, Ariyomo stated that “it is within their (youths) right to blame us. But an average Nigerian knows that the current national electricity engagement strategy is outside the control of State Government. We have no control over BEDC, for instance.”

Speaking on efforts made so far by the State Government to ameliorate the suffering of the people, Ariyomo said we  invoked provision in Section 14(b), Part II of the Second Schedule of the Nigerian constitution on areas outside the national grid and Arakunrin Akeredolu has approved the commencement of special state intervention in the provision of sustainable and reliable electricity in Ondo State, particularly those places that have been off the national grid.

“So, we did not wait for any youths to protest before we started proactive actions to fix this challenge within the limit of our capability and within the limitation imposed by the constitution.”

“The only difference between our mode of protest and that of the youths is that we believe it is our duty to take actual steps wherever we see grave failures on the parts of federal agencies that ought to naturally address those problems.” Ariyomo said.

He, however, disclosed that the meeting with BEDC was fruitful, saying “They (BEDC) apologized. We are jointly exploring options. Let’s give them some more time. But we are not going back on our interventions. We must end this scourge of darkness.”