The Delta State Government has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at tackling the state’s long-standing electricity challenges and driving industrial growth.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday launched the “Light Up To Industrialise Delta Initiative,” a programme designed to ensure reliable, round-the-clock electricity supply across the state, beginning with major urban centers such as Asaba and Warri.
The initiative is intended to serve as a catalyst for industrialisation, job creation, and economic transformation.
The announcement followed a strategic meeting at Government House, Asaba, between Governor Oborevwori and key stakeholders, including officials from Power Acumen Consulting Ltd (PACL), Detail Solicitors, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Bank (NIB).
Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, Commissioner for Economic Planning, outlined the administration’s strategic roadmap to reposition Delta as a hub of industrial growth underpinned by stable power.
Ekedayen revealed that Governor Oborevwori had “approved the engagement of Power Acumen Consulting Limited to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Delta’s electricity ecosystem.”
According to Ekedayen, the consulting team had conducted extensive fieldwork since late 2025, interfacing with stakeholders and analysing infrastructure and institutional gaps across the power value chain.
An interim report recommended a sweeping overhaul of the state’s electricity laws and policy framework, highlighting deep-rooted structural deficiencies that the government is now set to address.
“A detailed and actionable roadmap will be delivered in the coming weeks. A key reform component would be the establishment of a State Electricity Commission to regulate and coordinate the evolving power sector.
”In the not-too-distant future, Deltans will begin to experience measurable improvements in electricity supply,” Ekedayen said.
The Commissioner also highlighted ongoing collaboration with Power Acumen Consulting and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to strengthen distribution networks.
His words: “Plans are underway to develop an independent state electricity grid, designed to optimise power delivery from multiple generation sources, including Okpai, Transcorp Ughelli, and Sapele.
“Electricity is the backbone of industrialisation,” Anoka stressed, “and this initiative goes beyond power supply to serve as a driver of economic transformation, job creation, and investment inflow,” he added.
Supporting the initiative, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Fidelis Tilije, reaffirmed the state government’s financial readiness to fund every phase of the program, underscoring that fiscal constraints would not impede progress.
He also emphasised the central role of stable power in industrialisation and assured residents that the administration remains fully committed to the project’s successful execution.
Mr. Michael Anoka, Commissioner for Energy, provided further insight into the operational framework of the initiative, describing it as a “bold and transformative programme” aimed at unlocking Delta’s industrial potential.
Anoka explained that the state would leverage its existing power generation capacity, particularly from Okpai and Ughelli, where significant volumes of electricity currently remain underutilised.
“Our priority is not generation, but efficient transmission and distribution,” he said, noting that the government aims to achieve 24-hour electricity supply in Asaba and Warri within the next twelve months, with plans to scale the program statewide.
From a financing perspective, Erhabor Okogun, Managing Director of Infrastructure Bank Plc, noted that Delta possesses the financial and resource capacity necessary to support large-scale infrastructure development.
Engr. Matthew Edevbie of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd highlighted electricity as the “lifeblood” of any thriving economy, stressing that no meaningful industrialisation can occur without reliable power.
Drawing on over two decades of industry experience, he emphasised that true economic progress must align with social equity and environmental sustainability to ensure inclusive and enduring growth.
Edevbie assured that as technical partners, Power Acumen Consulting Limited would oversee meticulous planning, execution, and monitoring of all project phases, particularly the critical twelve-month rollout period, positioning Delta State as a model for power-driven industrialisation in Nigeria.
