Ekiti State Government is set to partner with Canada on the production of 10 megawatts of electricity in the state.

The state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, dropped the hint in his office in Ado Ekiti , while receiving the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, at the end of his two-day working visit to Ekiti.

Governor Fayemi stressed that the power generated through the proposed Independent Power Project (IPP) would boost development in the state.

He said key institutions including the state University, the Teaching Hospital, Oodua Enterprises Centre as well as other government establishments, would enjoy uninterrupted power supply through the project.

The governor also noted that the proposed joint venture initiative would take particular interest in the vast amount of solid minerals in the state. The minerals, according to him, include granite, kaolin, marble, feldspar and other precious stones awaiting exploration in the state.

Reiterating the determination of his administration to utilise resources in the state to attract investors and fast-track development, Fayemi lamented that most of the resources had remained largely untapped.

The Governor explained that his administration established the Solid Mineral Development Agency to correct the anomaly and ensure that people in the state benefit from the resources nature has bestowed on the state.

He said: “It is time we brought serious minded investors to the state.” Other areas of possible cooperation with the Canadian Government, according to the Governor, were education, tourism and agriculture.

Fayemi, who stressed the importance of education to his administration, said Ekiti State could benefit from what he called the unique system of education in Canada. He added  that the state would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Premier of Manitoba, Canada in October to firm up the partnership

In his remark, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Christopher Cooter, lauded efforts of the Fayemi administration at developing the state.