ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has intensified efforts to deliver stable and reliable electricity across the state, declaring that his administration is prioritising strategic partnerships and reforms to fix longstanding challenges in the power sector.
The governor made this known on Wednesday at Government House, Asaba, during a high-level engagement with Power Acumen Consulting Ltd (PACL), Detail Solicitors and Nigeria Infrastructure Bank (NIB), where he identified power distribution—not generation—as the major bottleneck hindering electricity supply in Nigeria.
He said the state government was accelerating interventions through its “Light Up To Industrialize Delta State Initiative,” aimed at addressing critical gaps in electricity access through targeted infrastructure development, policy reforms, and collaboration with credible technical partners.
According to Oborevwori, while Delta has made notable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, stable power supply remains the key driver needed to unlock broader economic growth and industrialisation.
The governor commended the management of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd for what he described as a “brilliant and insightful presentation,” noting that the engagement underscored his administration’s commitment to working with competent partners capable of delivering measurable results.
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 electricity 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, adding that experienced professionals have been appointed to strengthen institutional capacity in the energy sector.
While acknowledging that achieving uninterrupted power supply would require time, Oborevwori expressed optimism that ongoing reforms and partnerships would yield tangible results sooner than expected.
“The journey toward stable electricity supply is not automatic. It requires deliberate planning, sound policies, and consistent execution,” he said.
He further revealed that some communities that had experienced blackout for over a decade have recently been reconnected to the national grid, while ongoing projects are aimed at extending electricity infrastructure to key economic corridors across the state.
Despite these efforts, the governor maintained that distribution remains the critical challenge. “We have the capacity to generate significant megawatts of power daily, but getting that power efficiently distributed to homes and businesses remains the major hurdle,” he said.
To address this, he disclosed that the state has enacted an Electricity Law to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for power sector reforms, while consultants have been engaged to review existing policies and propose practical solutions.
Oborevwori stressed the importance of collaboration with credible partners, noting that technical expertise is essential to complement government efforts.
“We are not just interested in presentations; we want results. That is why we are seeking the right partners to guide us and help us achieve real impact,” he said.
He also called for community support, urging traditional rulers, youth leaders, and other stakeholders to safeguard power infrastructure and promote responsible electricity usage.
Earlier, Managing Director of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd, Engr. Matthew Edevbie, revealed that although Delta State has an installed electricity generation capacity of about 3,000 megawatts from sources such as Okpai, Ughelli, and Sapele, it currently utilises less than 200 megawatts.
Edevbie described the “Light Up and Industrialize Delta State Initiative” as an integrated development strategy, stressing that electricity remains the foundation of economic growth.
He advocated for the development of a state-owned power grid, noting that the key issue is not generation capacity but control over transmission and distribution within the state.
“By building our own grid, we can harness existing power, distribute it efficiently, and ensure reliability,” he said, adding that recent regulatory changes now allow states to establish independent transmission systems and recover investments over time.
Edevbie expressed confidence that with proper coordination, partnerships, and regulatory alignment, Delta State could achieve 24-hour electricity supply in major cities such as Warri and Asaba before the end of the year.
