The Delta State Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity solutions to citizens, leveraging on the bold reforms of the national Electricity Act of 2023 which has removed electricity generation and distribution from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent list to enable subnational governments participate in the sector.
The Delta State Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Sunday Tataobuzuogwu made this known, Wednesday, during an exclusive media chat in his office in Asaba, with the editorial team of the Veracity Magazine, a quarterly publication of the Delta State Ministry of Information.
Tataobuzogwu revealed that the state government is currently discussing with potential investors from within and outside the state on various partnership models for increased power generation and distribution, emphasizing that successful investors would be unveiled as soon as the State’s Electricity Regulatory Commission is put in place.
While describing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a rare breed of a governor for his far-reaching development initiatives in different critical sectors in the state, the Energy Commissioner said that investors were trooping into the state on account of the friendly Ease of Doing Business stance of the state, noting that Delta’s huge gas reserves was part of the incentives attracting investors to the state.
“Since it is easier and cheaper to get gas in the State as opposed to outside the State. Availability of power in the State will no doubt drive economic activities and very soon delta will become the investment hub of Nigeria.”
On achievements so far recorded within the two years of Governor Oborevwori’s administration, Tataobuzuogwu said: “Some communities which before now did not have night life now have night life because of the government’s intervention in lighting up of such communities through the installation of street lights, powering up roundabout vicinities and provision of lights in the markets, thereby enhancing economic activities in those areas,” the Commissioner revealed.
To make light available to residents, he said his Ministry has supplied transformers to many communities across the State and isstill buying more transformers to ensure as many communities as possible get connected to a power source.
He disclosed that to provide electricity in hard-to-reach areas, there are plans underway to roll out solar mini-grids, especially in riverine and off-grid locations to cater for the underserved populace.
On the affordability of power that will be available for consumers, the Commissioner said that people should be ready to pay for power consumed as the government would not subsidize the cost of power.
