Edo State Grants Coal Power Licences To Chinese Firms
Edo State has granted licences to Chinese firms to generate electricity from coal deposits, marking a significant shift in the state’s energy and industrial strategy under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed that the licences form part of efforts to boost electricity supply to residents. According to him, a feasibility study would determine how many megawatts of electricity would be generated from coal. Ijegbai further stated that the Chinese firms are also to produce cement and ceramic tiles from clay, and he directed the ministry to carry out mineral exploration across the state.
He expressed optimism that revenue from the Ministry of Mining in a few years’ time would be enough to run the state. The Commissioner also disclosed that Okpebholo’s administration has curtailed the activities of illegal miners in the state, stating that five illegal mining groups have been charged in court.
He said: “Okpebholo has released a lot of money for us to do a lot of exploration to find out various minerals we have. We have two Chinese companies with which we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on cement production. The governor just signed that about a month ago. They will start operations very soon.”
In a separate development, the Edo State Government has increased its monthly subvention to the state-owned Edo University, Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Council Area, from N100 million to N250 million to enhance academic excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Victor Adetimirin, disclosed this at the institution’s 7th convocation ceremony held in Iyamoh on Saturday. Adetimirin said that upon assuming duty, the council requested an increase in the university’s monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.
The VC said the increased subvention had restored staff confidence and enhanced students’ academic performance. Adetimirin also stated that 850 students graduated from the university, including 693 first-degree holders and 157 postgraduate students.