Agberen To Oborevwori: Delta Needs State Owned Independent Electricity Generation, Not Just Infrastructure

By Daniel Dafe

A rights activist in Delta State who doubles as the Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA ‘No Justice, No Peace,’ Comr.(Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to emulate the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who on Tuesday signed the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 into law, which became a pivotal step towards ensuring 24 hours electricity supply across the State.

Agberen in a statement on Thursday, added: “Governor, Sanwo-Olu, stated that the bill is a major step by the State Government, to ensure 24 hours electricity supply to every nook and cranny of the State, following FG’s nod for States to generate and distribute energy in 2023.”

He continued: “While I congratulate the Lagos State Government and its residents, the people should not hesitate but hold Governor Sanwo-Olu responsible if he fails to bring this actual project to limelight on or before the expiration of his tenure.”

Continuing, Comrade Agberen recalled how on Wednesday, 4th December, 2024, the Delta State Government, through the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, signed N979.2 billion budget into law, which is geared towards consolidating on many projects of his administration.

“A whooping N979.2 billion was quoted in its budget with no meaningful targeted/specified projects to which the people can rely upon that will better their lots,” he said.

Furthermore, he said: “I recall, that in the new Electricity Acts (EA) as amended, “the EA mandated State Governments the opportunity to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the state regulator” and in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), the Federal Government gave State Government the nod to generate and distribute energy in their respective States but most State Governments turned blind eyes and never gave second thoughts apart from a few.

“It is quite unfortunate, that the Nigerian citizens lost their rights to constant electricity supply by the Federal Government, which is a constitutional right after the National Electricity Power Supply (NEPA) was changed to PHCN for privatization, which has left the people in total darkness and joblessness. Too bad! Ekiti, Enugu, Imo States and Abia deserve recognition for their efforts to establish independent electricity generation frameworks coupled with the new bill signed by the Lagos State Government. However, it’s concerning that only a few states are taking proactive steps towards energy self-sufficiency.

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“The new Electricity Acts (EA) as amended would provide State Governments at all levels the opportunity to reclaim control over the power sector, especially in the supply of electricity that will lay robust foundations for jobs and stimulated economic growth, improved quality of life, energy equity, and environmental sustainability.”

He said “while the Delta State Government has focused on infrastructural development among other aspects of governance in recent years, it should be more concerned about establishing State independent electricity generation schemes, putting considerations on delivering 24 hours constant power supply, which would also attract rapid growths and development in Delta State.”

Meanwhile, he opined that the “Flyover construction projects in the city of Effurun and Warri precisely upon completion will be a landmark achievement of the Delta State Government under Governor Sherrif Oborevwori,” but said “issues of governance should not be one sided, focusing solely on flyover and roads construction while the life of the people governed are not directly affected.”

In his words, “no doubts, any State Government that can provide 24 hours uninterrupted power supply for a period of time, will be highly esteemed by the people in that place, how much more, for a decade or even more! More-so, constant power supply will boast businesses in the State, as it will solve almost half of the peoples’ problems for too many businesses and families rely on the use of electricity to survive.”

He said further: “The sweet truth is that a government like Delta State cannot afford to repeat past mistakes, going by her available resources and how they’re judiciously used, as there’s a great reawakening of the peoples’ interest in politics. Furthermore, I appeal to her dear Governor; Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to by all means, give bite to the new Electricity Acts (EA), which will enhance the progress of Delta State. To move forward, there’s need for the Government of Delta State to uphold diligence and integrity, cutting away from BEDC and establishing her State owned Independent Electricity Generation Schemes, as it would be a remarkable and great achievement for this administration and the people of Delta.”