Delta Considers Act On Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution 

The Delta State government says it is working on a legislation that would empower it and private sectors to generate,transmit and distribute electricity to all parts of the state.

The Commissioner for Energy, Pastor Engr.Jonathan Ukodhiko,who disclosed this at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state during the annual conference of the Isoko Development Union, IDU, said the state government has approved the establishment of three additional  independent power plants to be established  at Ozoro, Warri and Agbor in addition to the 8.5 Megawatts already in Asaba to boost electricity supply in the state.

He said the citizens of the state are suffering from almost total blackout which have put off many industries,

He said the goverment  is putting that bill together to be presented by  the governor,who will  send it to the House of Assembly for passage into law.

He said:“Let us try and encourage private individuals and companies that have the money to build power plants in various part of the state to generate,transmit and distribute to their area of operations.

“Our amiable governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has approved three more Independent Power Plants to be located in Ozoro, Warri and Owa Alero-Agbor.Presently, different companies have indicated interest. The government is not spending money to build those Plants,they will be built by private organizations and sell power to Goverment as the off takers.

“In fact government doesn’t have a business in doing business. We are not going to spend any money in building these power plants. The only thing that we are going to do is to buy all the power that is going to be produced, that is, we are going to stand as a guarantor that the power they will generate will be off take from them , that if these people are unable to pay for the power, we will pay for it,”being an off takers of the power in order for them to recoup their investment. Ukodhiko said.

He disclosed that over ten companies have expressed readiness to develop the three newly approved power plants, adding that the state government would ensure that only companies with the right competence and capacity would be engaged.

“As I am talking to you, more than 10 companies have indicated interest to build each of those locations. It is now left for us to choose which of the companies have the capacity and wherewithal to build the plants.

“Those are just only three places for now but we believe that as time goes on we should be able to spread it all over the state in order to support whatever the BEDC are doing to improve the light situations of the state because without adequate power we won’t be able to develop.This is to add the the smart agenda of our amiable Governor,Dr. Ifeayi Okowa.

“It is not only just to build those power plants but we also want to create energy hubs where we will set up an area where people will be able to Set up cottage Industris in order to generate employment for our people and to generate IGR for Govermemet to boost the economy of the state for sustainable  wealth creation.What are the energy hubs? The government will acquire about 5 to 10 hectares of land in each of those locations and about 30 percent of the energy that will be generated will be sent to those places for people to come and build cottage  industries.

“Once these industries are in place, they will be able to generate employment, they will be able to generate IGR for the state and they will be able to grow the economy of the state. That is how far we have gone and by God’s grace before the end of the tenure of this administration those three power plants will begin to run. That is why we are looking at companies that can deliver the projects within six months, so that it can work before we leave office.” Ukodhiko added.