Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has revealed plans to generate electricity from the 9 Megawatts (MW) hydro power plant located within the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority. The governor made this announcement during an inspection of the facility, stating that his administration is collaborating with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to take over and revive the plant.
Abiodun explained that the hydro power plant, inaugurated in 1983 but abandoned, represents a significant source of stranded renewable energy. He noted that only one of its three turbines was commissioned, while the other two were never fully installed. The governor emphasized that reviving the plant aligns with his administration’s goal of improving power supply across the state.
The hydro power plant will be merged with the 30MW gas-fired power plant in Onijanganjangan to create a balanced energy mix. “We have been engaging with the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and there is an alliance between our government and the Bureau to take over this hydro power plant and merge it with our gas-fired plant so that we have the right energy mix,” Abiodun said.
He added that engineers will soon assess the plant’s integrity and develop a plan to resuscitate it. This initiative is part of the broader Ogun State Light Up Project, which aims to establish power plants in Abeokuta, Ijebu, Remo, and Yewa to ensure stable electricity supply across the state.
In addition to power generation, the governor highlighted the potential of the River Basin area for agricultural development. He proposed turning the surrounding land into farm clusters to leverage the availability of water and irrigation for year-round farming. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Food Initiative. Abiodun also noted that the area is suitable for cattle farming, as it provides ample water resources for livestock.
The governor described the original vision behind the dam as noble, as it was designed to manage water outflow, support irrigation, generate power, and promote farming. He expressed optimism that reviving the hydro power plant and optimizing the River Basin’s resources would significantly benefit the people of Ogun State.
