Two years after the founder of the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua, donated the whooping sum of N20m for the upgrade of electricity in his hometown, Arigidi-Akpojaro, Ondo State, there seems to be no changes.
Now speculation concerning what the money was used for have begun to garner interest.
According to the reports, the sum was
paid to a development association in the community from which it was to be forwarded to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at the time.
Sources in the community confirmed that in the last four years, electricity supply in Arigidi has been non-existent for various reasons ranging from damaged cables and transformers, to huge indebtedness to the electricity company, in terms of bills’ payment.
A male head teacher in the community, while speaking on the issue, said: “But when T.B Joshua heard, he promptly sent down N20 million, in addition to other contributions from prominent sons and daughters of Arigidi.
“But up till date, we don’t know what has become of the money.”
However, while reacting to the speculations, the Special Adviser to Ondo’s Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on Public Utilities, Mr. Tunji Light Ariyomo, confirmed that Joshua donated the sum of N20 million for electricity equipment repairs but denied any speculations that the money had been given to the Ondo State Government.
“I’m aware that T.B Joshua contributed N20 million and other indigenes of Arigidi also made contributions too, a few years back, to restore electricity to Arigidi.
“But the Ondo State Government had nothing to do with it, as it was between the community and the BEDC. We have our own programmes on rural electrification that we are progressively implementing.
“However, what T.B Joshua did was commendable since he was contributing to the development of his community,” Ariyomo responded.
While speaking with Thisday over the weekend, the BEDC authorities have also denied receiving any money from the cleric.
The BEDC Public Relations Officer for Ondo/Ekiti axis, Mr. Kayode Ilori-Brown, said, “I’m not aware of any donation from T.B Joshua; but all I can tell you is that, we are doing our best to re-connect Akoko communities that are out of service.”
Responding to questions of other communities in the Akoko zone of Ondo State who have also been experiencing power failure for the last three years, such as Irun, Ogbagi, Ese and Afin, Ilori-Brown, Mr Olotu-Brown said that their case was special.
“Those areas were using the Okene feeder pillar before the BEDC came on board. And now, Okene is under Abuja Distribution Company. So, what we are trying to do is to connect them to the Akure feeder pillar, which is an ongoing project,” Ilori-Brown explained.
He, however, assured that the BEDC was doing it’s best to rectify the situation despite the prevailing circumstances and would ensure that electricity supply is restored to the communities.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Prophet T.B Joshua have been unsuccessful.
Since advised to “Send a message through an email account,” and the message set, there has still been no response for the prophet.
