FOURTEEN rural communities across three local councils out of the existing 16 in Kwara State had in the last one month been connected to the National Grid.

The development formed part of the plan by the state government to electrify 105 rural communities in the state before the end of this year.

The 14 beneficiary communities are Odore, Budo Oba/Aikojo, Ile Apa, Isokun/Oloyin and Onikoko, all in Ilorin East Local Council. Others are Ayedun, Ilale, Igosi/Igba and Erinmope, in Oke Ero Council. From Ifelodun Local Government Area are; Omi-Aro, Ita Olomo, Alomi Laya/Amoyo, Faaji/Ajegunle, Sango/Tayo, Atanda Aja Ali and Okaka/Ajibowo.

The state's Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, yesterday at a press briefing in Ilorin, said work in 60 other communities had reached 60 to70 per cent completion. Besides, 10 others have been completed to between 40 and 50 percent level, while10 others with poor terrain would be completed by the first week in December.

The state government, under a Joint Project endeavour with the councils, has earmarked a sum of N1.2 billion for the project. While the state will pay 60 per cent of the total fund, the councils will contribute 40 per cent.

The commissioner said the government's plan was aimed at reducing the high rate of rural/urban migration and encourage the establishment of cottage industries across the state.

He added: "The target given for the completion of all these projects could not be met in 10 of these communities due to the existing terrain, worsened by rainfall. Now that the rain has stopped, the concerned contractors have moved to site. In fact the project will now be completed latest by first week in December.

"The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has certified all the work done so far. We are committed to this project because we know that without energy, no nation or socio- political group can survive the harsh effects of the present Global Economic meltdown," he declared

The state governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, recently ordered that all electrifiable local settlements in the state, with each not requiring more than a sum of N10 million, should be electrified and connected to the National Grid.

On the security of the equipment mounted for the electricity projects, the commissioner said the beneficiary communities have formed veritable vigilance groups to monitor the equipment.