Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, on Tuesday, inaugurated a 300KVA transformer substation in Ogbekpen Community of Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state.
The transformer was constructed and donated to the community by PRESCO PLC as part of its corporate social responsibilities.
While commending the company’s gesture, Governor Obaseki noted that partnership between the private sector and rural communities is necessary to drive development in the state.w
He commended members of the community for actualising the project and urged them to protect it from vandalism.
“As government is bringing the needed infrastructure, communities should also provide peaceful atmosphere for companies to do business and employ people in the community.
“Ogbekpen is now a priority community for us because we want to reposition Edo as the Rubber hub in Africa”.
Earlier, the Managing Director of PRESCO plc, Felix Nwabuko, said that the electrification project included the extension of the high-tension line from Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) to the community, the 300KVA transformer substation at the community centre square and opening up a 3.5km road for the community.
Meanwhile, the leader of the community, Alex Odigie, commended the company, RRIN and the Edo state government for bringing development to them, revealing that the project would boost economic activities in the locality as well as reduce rural-urban drift.
He commended the developmental strides of the Governor Obaseki-led administration but appealed for government primary and secondary schools to be erected at the site already earmarked by the government for that purpose.
