ASABA/Nigeria: Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, has called on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to urgently restore electricity supply to Kwale, Ndokwa Nation, Isoko land and other affected communities across the state amid growing public agitation over prolonged outages.
Onyeme made the demand on Tuesday during a meeting with the management team of BEDC in Asaba, led by Engr. Jonathan Lawani, warning that the persistent lack of electricity had triggered protests, road blockades and widespread frustration among residents.
The Deputy Governor said the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration remained committed to equitable development across all parts of Delta State, stressing that stable electricity supply was critical to the implementation of the administration’s MORE Agenda.
He explained that the meeting was convened to address the worsening power situation in Kwale and chart an immediate and sustainable path toward resolving the crisis.
“The reason we decided to call this meeting is because we have been having problems in terms of constant electricity supply,” Onyeme said.
While acknowledging that electricity shortages remain a national challenge, the Deputy Governor noted that the situation in parts of Delta State, particularly Ndokwa and Isoko areas, had become alarming.
“Of particular concern are recent happenings in Delta State, especially Kwale in the Ndokwa ethnic nationality. The people of Isoko have also raised an alarm over the lack of electricity, and I am sure this is not news to your company because there have been several agitations in recent times,” he stated.
He recalled that residents of Ndokwa Nation had staged repeated demonstrations both within the state and at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja over the prolonged power outage.
“My people, the Ndokwa people, have demonstrated severally within our state and at the National Assembly in Abuja over the continuous lack of electricity.
“They have caused roadblocks in Kwale several times and disrupted activities because of their anger over the non-availability of electricity supply, yet we have not achieved much,” Onyeme lamented.
The Deputy Governor clarified that the state government was not demanding uninterrupted electricity supply but insisted that affected communities deserved fair treatment in power distribution.
“I am not saying you should give us 24-hour electricity because there is nowhere in Nigeria with uninterrupted supply, but let there be light.
“If other parts of the country are getting six hours, let us also get six hours; if they are getting eight hours, let us get eight hours; if they are getting two hours, let us get two hours,” he said.
He urged BEDC to immediately provide interim relief while long-term solutions, including the Independent Power Project (IPP), are pursued.
“Whatever it will take, let us have electricity in Kwale while we are looking for something more permanent.
“We know the Independent Power Project is the long-term target of my people, but before we achieve that, let us have an immediate remedy,” he added.
Onyeme expressed the pain and frustration of residents over the situation and urged the electricity company to act swiftly.
“I want you to understand that we are in pain and we need a solution fast,” he said.
Commissioner for Power and Energy, Engr. Michael Anoka, also attended the meeting.
Earlier, Engr. Jonathan Lawani briefed the Deputy Governor on the technical challenges affecting electricity supply in the affected communities, citing vandalism and related infrastructure issues as major setbacks.
He assured the Delta State Government of BEDC’s commitment to working collaboratively to accelerate the restoration of power supply to Kwale, Isoko and other affected communities.
