Residents of Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have hailed the ongoing 100-megawatt power project and industrial park in the community, saying the development could unlock jobs, attract fresh investments and accelerate economic activities in the area.
The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday, expressing optimism that the project would address electricity challenges while opening new opportunities for businesses and young people.
The project, being developed by CCETC, comprises a 100MW natural-gas-powered electricity generation facility and an industrial park.
It was formally launched in February as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply and promote industrial development in Edo State.
A local laundry operator, Imowo Iyip, described the project as “a welcome development”, recalling the community’s long-standing dependence on generators.
According to him, improved electricity supply would reduce the cost of running businesses and provide a more stable environment for small enterprises to operate.
Pastor Friday Johnson, who said he had lived in Ologbo for more than two decades, also welcomed the development, noting that residents had previously relied heavily on generators.
Johnson said recent improvements in electricity supply had already provided some relief, expressing hope that the new project would further boost economic activities.
Another resident, Udok Uwen, described the project as “a very good development” for Ologbo and neighbouring communities.
He said the combination of reliable electricity and the planned industrial park could make the area more attractive to investors while creating employment opportunities for young people.
“We hope that the project would contribute to improved living standards and stimulate other forms of development in the community,” Uwen said.
The CCETC Project Coordinator, Jiang Fan, said significant progress had been made on the project, adding that the company was working closely with the Edo State Government to deliver the facility.
“I am in charge of this project and this is our 100 megawatts of power generation and also an industrial park,” Fan said.
He disclosed that most of the generating equipment had arrived, while installation was substantially advanced.
According to him, the facility will be powered by natural gas, with each generating unit producing 2.3MW and the overall project targeting 100MW.
Fan said about 90 per cent of the foundation work had been completed, while approximately half of the overall work plan had been achieved.
He also disclosed that the project had obtained the necessary generation and distribution licences, with the remaining work focused on final preparations before power generation and distribution commence.
The distribution network, he said, is expected to cover six local government areas, with the possibility of extending coverage to other parts of Edo.
Fan said reliable electricity would provide a major boost to businesses and investors in the state, particularly as the industrial park expands.
He added that the project was already creating employment through construction activities, with more opportunities expected as the industrial park develops.
For residents of Ologbo, the project represents more than a power facility, with expectations rising that improved electricity, industrial expansion and new investments will transform the economic fortunes of the community and surrounding areas.
