Electricity Challenge: Ndokwa Nation Needs Patience Over Outstanding Liabilities – Aniagwu

The Delta state government said it is addressing Ndokwa Electricity Challenges, but agitators for the recent Light Up Ndokwa Nation have to wait for due process to take its course.

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, reacting to the protest over the issue during a press conference in Asaba on Wednesday, said the Okpai power project is not a state government project but can only begin to make an effort to see how the state government can also benefit, and that is ongoing.

Flanked by chief press secretary to the governor, Sir Festus Ahon and executive assistant to the governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the commissioner said effort is being made to deal with the challenges between the then Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN)  before it moved to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, (BEDC), as to how to settle certain outstanding liabilities so that they can begin a process of getting them reconnected to the grid.

“Because there was this absence of power that power distribution channels along that corridor being energised, it made it possible for some criminals to tamper with the power infrastructure in that corridor so which means that it’s now a question of going to provide certain power or energy infrastructure for them to be effectively connected.”

‘Concrete steps are being taken to provide lasting power solutions to the area. For a very long time, power generation and distribution had been an exclusive preserve of the federal government.

“For a very long time, transmission remained the exclusive preserve of the federal government, which meant that even when you generate, you will need to upload the power you have generated into the national grid for onward distribution to the other parts of the country.

“But over time, there was some form of deregulation, starting from the Jonathan administration, which allowed some private sector players to come in and made it possible for specific individuals in the private sector to invest in power generation and distribution.

“Only recently, a specific form of liberalisation has taken place, to the extent that states can go into some form of generation and distribution, but under certain conditions.

“I am also aware that the deputy governor of the state, Sir Monday Onyeme, who is from the Ndokwa nation, has been mandated by the governor to begin looking into how we can ensure that our brothers and sisters over there are connected.

While saying the Delta state government has intensified efforts to resolve the longstanding electricity challenge in Ndokwa nation, Aniagwu further clarified that the Governor Oborevwori administration has done quite a lot for the Ndokwa nation and other parts of the state and appealed for patience while the government addresses their concerns.

The Commissioner said Governor Oborevwori has done very well in the last two years in terms of infrastructure, human capital development, enhanced business security, and creating many platforms for individuals to realise their God-given potentials, particularly as Delta is blessed with promising talents and oil.

“We have continued to take advantage of that to ensure that services are being provided. I am happy that, as partners, you have accompanied us in inspecting several of these projects across the 25 local government areas, whether in the riverine or upland areas.

“The Oborevwori administration is committed to doing more in the next two years. That is why you saw several mind-blowing projects approved in our last Executive Council meeting: to deliver more to our people,” Aniagwu assured.