Solar Energy: A New Dawn For Oyo Primary Health Centres As Health Workers No Longer Use Torch At Night By Oyo Amebo

 

The visionary commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde and the dedicated leadership of Honorable Seun Ashamu, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, serve as a testament to Oyo State’s current transformation under the “Light-UP Project and Solar Energy.

These initiatives are reaching deep into the heart of the state, where primary healthcare centers, public safety, and overall well-being are undergoing a revolutionary change.

No doubt, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has emerged as a beacon, setting the tone for Oyo State’s growth in the power sector and serving as a model for other states to emulate.

It represents Governor Makinde’s unyielding commitment to fostering development, sustainability, and innovation.

At the forefront of this promising change, Honorable Seun Ashamu is currently overseeing the final stages of the 11 MW Hybrid Power Plant project in Ibadan.

This endeavor, poised for completion in the near future, holds the promise of brighter days for Oyo State.

A trip to over two hundred newly renovated Primary Health Centres across the State showed that the facilities are now functioning optimally. The upsurge in patronage cannot be overemphasized. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources are installing solar panels at the health centres.

This singular effort has made the health centres which are the closet to those at the grassroots more attractive to patients at least to access basic healthcare before heading to the secondary health institutions.

Funny enough, health practitioners no longer make use of torch light to administer treatment for a patient. This is a radical departure from what used to be obtainable in the State.

Nurses and Matrons are now eagerly attending to patients without asking them to pay sum of amount of money to buy fuel for the generating set.

The icing on the cake will be the ongoing 11 MW hybrid power solution which is to supply electricity to various government facilities, starting with the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, and its environs. When this transformational project comes to fruition, it will power:

Healthcare Facilities: The power generated will benefit 12 healthcare facilities, including Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital and State Hospital Ring Road. Oyo State’s administration has made substantial investments in these hospitals, equipping them with world-class diagnostic and treatment equipment. This development will have a direct impact on approximately 15,622 patients annually, ushering in a new era of healthcare excellence.

This transformative project stands as a testament to Governor Seyi Makinde’s enduring vision for Oyo State and his administration’s commitment to fostering development.

The “Light-UP Project” is not merely about providing illumination; it is about illuminating the path to a brighter, sustainable, and safer future for Oyo State residents.

It is a stride towards a future where primary healthcare centers no longer depend on torchlight at night, and the state becomes a model for others to follow in the power sector, showcasing what unwavering dedication to progress can achieve. Kudos to Engineer Seyi Makinde and Barrister Seun Ashamu.

Oyo Amebo is a Political and Social Commentator, he writes from Ibadan.