*State partners NDLEA to combat drug menace
The Edo state government’s renewable energy programme being implemented in partnership with Oando Energy will result in the construction of wind turbines across three locations in the three senatorial districts of the state, the state has said.
The locations, according to studies by Oando Energies, will be at Uhunmwonde, Uromi and Akoko Edo, where energy currents are high.
The Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, noted that the state government is looking at serving areas with increased economic activity with wind energy operated by partners.
He stated that Oando has carried out their audit and has come up with the report that there is a heavy wind current in a part of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.
“They have opened discussions with the local government chairman. The other location is between Uromi and Ubiaja, close to the railway bridge, where there is also a strong wind current. Another one will be situated between Etsako and Akoko Edo, close to the Igbira camp,” he said.
He noted that the company had identified the areas where they will install the turbines to harvest wind energy, generate power and sell to willing buyers.
“They are set to fit the meteorological mast to take record of the wind in the area. These are part of the renewable programme we have to drive industrialization,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner added that the renewable energy programme is targeted at industrial zones in the State, which is why the company is conducting an energy audit in Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo Local Government, where a lot of mining activities are ongoing.
“Oando Energy is set to construct a plant in the area to serve the investors in the economy. So, the renewable energy programme is targeted at solving energy issues in these clusters,” he added.
Meanwhile, the state government is strengthening collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other sister security agencies to improve strategies and efforts at combating the drug menace in the State.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, received the new Commander of NDLEA in the State, Callys Alumona and other officers of the agency at the Government House, Benin City, to brainstorm and chart ways to strengthen the war against illicit drugs in the State.
Obaseki represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, said the government was empowering youths in the state to discourage them from substance abuse and other social vices, commending the new commander for raiding hotspots in the state and other efforts to end the menace in Edo state.
He said: “The issue of drugs for us is a problem that we are taking seriously as an administration because the drug problem leads to other criminal activities. Most accidents occur as a result of the abuse and use of drugs.
“Government is taking the issue of drug abuse seriously…We are ready to provide the necessary support needed for you to succeed in this fight against drug abuse in the State.”
He mentioned that the state has over 15 hotspots which it is monitoring, stressing that the drug business is troubling because some officers collude with the drug sellers and users.
“They come into these hotspots to request for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue. In doing this, lives are being destroyed.
“A breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some of your men in Edo North during one of your operations to raid drug spots.
“You have a lot to do as we will collaborate with you and other sister security agencies to win the war against this drug issue. Nobody can do it alone. Synergy will help us succeed and win against all odds,” he pointed out.
Earlier, the new Commander of NDLEA, Alumona said about 12 drug abusers had been apprehended and are currently being rehabilitated.
“We have been to Ihama and Country Home Hotel Roads and other hotspots for sale of illicit drugs in the State. What we saw was not pleasing at all. Drugs are being hawked like pure water in these areas. This experience has led us to begin to raid some of these places identified. We have raided Ihama about three times to get these people.
“We will address the issue of drugs seriously as we have destroyed dry season farming of cannabis and sativa. Our efforts have led to the destruction of about 14,000 tonnes of cannabis sativa. We have mopped up from the streets and about 153,000kg of cannabis and other assorted drugs and this is just the beginning,” he stated.
