Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving stable and reliable electricity supply through strategic collaboration with energy experts and institutional partners.
The governor made this known on Wednesday during a high-level meeting with the management teams of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd (PACL), Detail Solicitors, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Bank (NIB) at Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori identified electricity distribution—not generation—as the primary challenge hindering progress in Nigeria’s power sector. He stressed that addressing this bottleneck is central to unlocking Delta State’s economic potential.
He explained that his administration is intensifying efforts to bridge gaps in electricity supply through targeted infrastructure development, policy reforms, and strategic partnerships under the “Light Up and Industrialize Delta State Initiative.”
According to the governor, while notable progress has been recorded in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, sustainable electricity remains critical for driving industrial growth and overall development.
Commending PACL for what he described as a “brilliant and insightful presentation,” Oborevwori said the engagement reflects the state government’s determination to work with competent partners capable of delivering measurable outcomes.
He disclosed that a joint technical team comprising representatives of the state government and PACL would be established to develop a clear roadmap and actionable framework for achieving round-the-clock power supply.
“We do not want to act blindly. We need a well-structured plan that will guide our decisions and ensure long-term success,” the governor said.
He added that his administration has strengthened institutional capacity in the energy sector by appointing experienced professionals, expressing confidence that effective leadership combined with strategic collaboration would yield positive results.
While acknowledging that achieving uninterrupted electricity supply would require time and sustained effort, Oborevwori expressed optimism that ongoing reforms would deliver tangible improvements in the near term.
“The journey toward stable electricity supply is not automatic. It requires deliberate planning, sound policies, and consistent execution,” he noted.
The governor further revealed that some communities previously without electricity for over a decade have recently been reconnected to the national grid. He added that ongoing projects are focused on extending power infrastructure to key economic corridors across the state.
Despite these efforts, he reiterated that distribution remains the critical challenge.
“We have the capacity to generate significant megawatts of power daily, but efficiently distributing that power to homes and businesses remains the major hurdle,” he said.
To address this, Oborevwori said the state government has enacted an Electricity Law aimed at strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for power sector reforms. He added that consultants have been engaged to review existing policies and recommend practical solutions, with a comprehensive report expected soon.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration with credible partners, noting that technical expertise is essential to complement government’s financial and institutional capacity.
“We are not just interested in presentations; we want results,” he said.
The governor also called for community support, urging traditional rulers, youth leaders, and other stakeholders to promote responsible electricity usage and safeguard power infrastructure.
Earlier in his presentation, the Managing Director of PACL, Engr. Matthew Edevbie, disclosed that Delta State has an installed electricity generation capacity of about 3,000 megawatts—driven largely by facilities in Okpai, Ughelli, and Sapele—but currently utilizes less than 200 megawatts.
He described the “Light Up and Industrialize Delta State Initiative” as an integrated development strategy anchored on reliable electricity supply.
Edevbie stressed that the state’s challenge is not generation but control over transmission and distribution. He advocated for the development of an independent state power grid to harness existing capacity and ensure efficient distribution.
“By building our own grid, we can harness existing power, distribute it efficiently, and ensure reliability,” he said.
He noted that recent regulatory developments now allow states to establish and operate independent transmission systems, enabling them to recover investments and transform infrastructure into long-term economic assets.
Edevbie expressed confidence that with proper coordination, strong partnerships, and regulatory alignment, Delta State could achieve 24-hour electricity supply in Warri and Asaba before the end of the year.
Comments
Post a Comment