Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, has urged the Delta State Government to take control of the electricity sector in the state to enhance power supply and improve local access to electricity.
Nwoko highlighted that such action would help fulfill Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with host communities by oil companies, ensuring they receive Corporate Social Responsibility benefits. It would also attract investors and support local power projects.
He noted that the people of Ndokwa have long been generating power for the nation’s capital and nearby states while enduring darkness and underdevelopment. He called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to facilitate access to the captured power and ensure his people benefit from it.
Nwoko has secured agreements with two major investors willing to collaborate with the Delta Government through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) initiatives. He stressed that states have successfully managed federal roads and received refunds, and the electricity sector is equally deserving of such intervention.
According to Nwoko’s Communication Team Leader, Gloria Okolugbo, the senator’s call for state government intervention is crucial and could significantly impact Delta State’s economy. She dismissed recent online media publications that attempted to politicize discussions about the power plant, describing them as speculative and uninformed.
Nwoko detailed that the Okpai Power Plant in Ndokwa East LGA, operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and NNPC, started with a capacity of 480MW in 2005 and was expanded by 500MW in March 2022. Despite this, the host communities have not benefited from the generated power.
The senator emphasized that the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 and its amendments entitle host communities to benefit from energy projects on their land. He reiterated the need for the Delta Government to facilitate the implementation of the 132KVA Double Circuit transmission line commissioned in 2021 to provide power to Ndokwa/Ukuani communities.
Nwoko stressed that domesticating the Electricity Act 2023 could attract investors, support mini-grids, and independent power projects for underserved communities across the state. He called for cooperation and prioritization of the issue to achieve a record-breaking 24/7 power supply for the people of Delta State.
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