Indications have emerged that the 10.4 MW Independent Power Project (IPP) running on natural gas and dedicated distribution network to supply power to the state government secretariat and its environs will be ready by October this year.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who revealed this yesterday at the commencement of the Lagos State Science and Technology (LASTECH) Week with the theme 'Promoting The Development Of Science and Technology Through Entrepreneurship Education,' held in Lagos Secretariat also said the state government was almost through with the design of a broadband infrastructure for Lagos State.

According to him, "The difference between developed and developing countries is science and technology and the rule of law. In order to close this gap and achieve the development that we crave for, the state government embarked on the construction of Independent Power Project (IPP) to power the public infrastructures in the state.

He explained that this was because the cost of providing power supply for public infrastructures through generating set was too high to be funded continuously by the government.

"Among the IPP already constructed by the state is the Akute Power Project to provide power supply to the Akute Water Works and others. But it hasn't stopped there," he added.

Fashola who was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, added, "you can notice that in front of the state House of Assembly, we have dug that area to lay some cables.

"What we are trying to do is that by October this year, God willing, the whole of Alausa, will be off Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN). We are building our own source of power supply. What that gives us is the ability to determine our life and serve the residents of the state better.

"We know that power supply is the basis for development and that was why we started the power project. By the time we complete the power projects, it will aid the state broadband," he added.