Agberen Urges Oborevwori To End 17-Year Power Outage In DSC Township

The National Coordinator of the Initiative For Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), Comrade (Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, has appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene in the prolonged power outage affecting residents of DSC Township in Udu Local Government Area.

Agberen, while commending Governor Oborevwori for his infrastructural development projects across the state, expressed concern over the continued lack of electricity in the township, which he said has persisted for more than 17 years.

According to him, the situation has subjected many residents, including veteran staff of the defunct Delta Steel Company, to years of hardship.

He described the once-thriving industrial community as a shadow of its former self, noting that the steel plant, which employed thousands of workers, has lost its industrial relevance while the surrounding township remains in darkness.

He acknowledged the Delta State Government’s efforts to improve electricity supply through the “Light Up Delta Initiative,” including partnerships with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), but lamented that DSC Township has yet to benefit from such interventions.

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Agberen said BEDC, through the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), attributed the continued blackout to an alleged N180 million electricity debt accumulated over the years.

He further alleged that between 2011 and 2013, a committee set up by PHCN officials and the management of the steel township collected and remitted about N700 million in electricity payments. However, following BEDC’s takeover, residents were reportedly presented with what he described as an unrealistic debt figure, making it impossible for them to meet the demands for reconnection.

The activist disclosed that he had repeatedly drawn the attention of the state government to the issue through various media platforms.

He also recalled facilitating a meeting between residents of the steel township and the Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, Hon. Oyibode Vincent, last year.

According to him, the council chairman had assured residents that efforts would be made to restore electricity to the area, but the promise has yet to materialize.

Agberen noted that despite the prolonged blackout, DSC Township has evolved into a vibrant residential community with designated electoral wards and a growing population. He argued that restoring power to the area would significantly improve the quality of life of residents and stand as a major achievement for the Oborevwori administration.

He therefore urged the governor to personally intervene and ensure that electricity is restored to the township, describing the move as a necessary step toward addressing the long-standing plight of residents.

“Resolving the power outage in DSC Township will have a profound impact on the lives of residents and further demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of Deltans,” he stated.