Governors, ministers and traditional rulers have disagreed over the installation of solar streetlights by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the region.
While the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, the deputy governor of Bayelsa State Lawrence Eghujujakpor, the chairman, Traditional Rulers of Oil and Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), Orodje of Okpe, Maj Gen (Rtd), Felix Mujekpero, described the projects as not sustainable, the ministers of Niger Delta and Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), Engr Abubakar Momoh and Ekperikpo Ekpo, respectively, disagreed.
The disagreement which occurred at the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta yesterday was kick-started by Governor Oborevwori who warned NDDC to stop street light projects as he said it is not sustainable.
Eghujujakpor, on his part advised NDDC to go for modular refineries that have lasting impact on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta instead of the solar light just as the monarch, Orodje of Okpe, vehemently rejected the solar light projects in the Niger Delta communities.
“Let me tell NDDC that street light project is not sustainable. The commission should embark on other projects. Please permit me to appeal to the NDDC to take steps to urgently complete all ongoing and abandoned projects in the region.
“The interventions of the agency are crucial in facilitating urban renewal, creating employment opportunities for our people, fostering urban-rural integration, and enabling regional economic growth,” Oborevwori said.
On his part, Eghujujakpor said, “Not that street light is not good but cannot generate the needed impact on the people like the modular refineries.”
According to the monarch, “We don’t want solar light. It is the easiest means to steal billions of government money. The ones NDDC installed in my community lasted for three months.
We want electricity so that welders, hair dressers and others can use. Don’t give us solar light again.”
However, Ekpo said that the batteries of the solar lights can be recharged to make it durable just as he said it has been useful in some communities as means to discourage criminals and serve as security to such areas.
On his part, Momoh said street lights are one of the commission’s dear projects. “There will be transformation. All communities want the street lights. Even in Delta, since we came we have seen street lights in the city,” Momoh said.
