The Non-Indigenous Residents in Anioma (NIRA) group has expressed support for the ongoing protests in Ndokwa Nation, citing the failures of both the previous administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the current government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
For more than 20 years, the people of Ndokwa have been denied electricity, despite the presence of the Oando Power Station and other energy infrastructures in the region
In a statement signed by the convener, Maria Udofia, NIRA condemned the continued blackout in Ndokwa West and surrounding communities, despite the presence of the Oando Power Station and other energy infrastructures in the region.
“This is no longer a technical failure; this is an outright failure of governance, first by the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and now worsened by the refusal of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to act on workable solutions.
“The state has turned its back on Ndokwa, and it is shameful, ” Udofia said.
She noted that this sustained power outage has crippled economic growth and development, rendering life unbearable for thousands of residents.
”The Okpai Power Plant has been generating power since 2005 and was upgraded to 980 MW by 2022. Yet, host communities remain in darkness.
”This injustice must end. The government must act now. The EPSRA (Electric Power Sector Reform Act) of 2005 clearly entitles host communities to benefit from projects built on their land. The law is on our side, ” said.
NIRA backed Senator Ned Nwoko’s proposal to attract private investors to restore electricity through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Udofia made it clear that Senator Nwoko has put forward a practical and sustainable solution to end the prolonged power crisis.
She praised the senator’s approach, which involves attracting private investors to restore electricity through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Under this plan, investors would be repaid through either consumer billing or government instalments a proven and economically sound idea.
“It is a brilliant proposal one that does not require immediate government spending, yet provides a permanent solution to our electricity crisis.
“The only reason it is being ignored is petty political rivalry. The governor refuses to act because the suggestion didn’t come from him. This is dangerous, selfish, and unfair to our people, ” Udofia said.
NIRA emphasised the importance of completing the 132KVA Double Circuit Transmission Line to ensure stable power supply.
The group urged Governor Oborevwori to stop playing politics with the lives of the Ndokwa people and adopt Senator Nwoko’s plan.
NIRA condemned the reported shooting of peaceful protesters by military personnel and called for a full investigation.
The group described the action as “brutal, cowardly, and a gross violation of human rights,” and called for a full investigation.
The group insisted that the protest must continue until the government listens. “We support the people’s right to protest.
”We encourage them to keep pressing for justice until the government finally acts.
”The silence and inaction over two decades of darkness are unacceptable. No part of Delta Central has experienced even a year without power why should Ndokwa endure twenty?”
The group stressed the need to domesticate the Electricity Act 2023 to open the door for mini-grid systems and other decentralized power solutions.
NIRA called on the state government to convene a town hall meeting involving community leaders, youths, and energy stakeholders to develop a sustainable action plan for restoring electricity to the area
The group urged the state government to take immediate action to end the 20-year blackout and ensure that the people of Ndokwa benefit from the electricity generated in their region.
