By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: After years of erratic electricity supply that has disrupted businesses and daily life in DSC Township, Delta State Government has begun fresh efforts to restore stable power to the community through a partnership involving key players in the electricity sector.
The initiative took shape in Asaba when the Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, met with the management of Premium Steel and Mines Company Limited, owners of the former Delta Steel Company, to map out practical solutions to the township’s lingering power challenges.
The meeting, which forms part of the Oborevwori administration’s drive to improve energy infrastructure across the state, also brought together representatives of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
One of the major decisions reached was the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee made up of engineers and other technical experts from the Ministry of Energy, BEDC, NDPHC and Premium Steel. The committee will immediately begin a comprehensive assessment of electricity facilities serving DSC Township.
Officials said the exercise will examine the condition of substations, transformers, distribution lines and metering infrastructure to determine the causes of the prolonged outages and recommend both immediate and long-term interventions.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within three weeks, providing the technical basis for investments and rehabilitation works needed to improve electricity supply in the area.
Speaking during the meeting, Anoka said lasting improvements in the power sector would require close collaboration between government, electricity operators and private investors rather than isolated efforts.
According to him, the state government is committed to pursuing practical solutions that will not only restore electricity to DSC Township but also create an environment that supports industrial growth and attracts investment.
As part of the implementation plan, stakeholders agreed that emergency repairs and load-balancing measures would be prioritised over the next 60 days to improve supply and reduce frequent outages experienced by residents.
Beyond the immediate intervention, discussions also covered the rehabilitation of critical distribution infrastructure, upgrades to existing feeders and the deployment of smart metering technology to improve operational efficiency and minimise technical losses.
The stakeholders equally explored long-term options, including embedded power generation and Independent Power Producer (IPP) arrangements, with the aim of guaranteeing reliable electricity for DSC Township, neighbouring communities and industries operating within the corridor.
Anoka said access to stable electricity remains central to economic development, noting that reliable power supports businesses, healthcare, education, security and job creation.
He added that the Ministry of Energy would continue working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), NDPHC and other relevant agencies to ensure any solution adopted is technically sustainable and financially viable.
Management of Premium Steel and Mines Company welcomed the state’s intervention, describing it as a significant step towards resolving a challenge that has persisted for years. The company pledged its technical support and cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
For residents of DSC Township, the outcome of the collaboration could determine whether the community, once built around one of Nigeria’s foremost steel plants, finally begins to enjoy the stable electricity supply needed to revive economic activities and improve living conditions.
