The Delta Government has intensified efforts to strengthen electricity supply by rallying key power sector operators, aimed at delivering stable, reliable and expanded electricity services across the state.
The renewed drive emerged during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on Friday in Asaba, where the Commissioner for Energy, Michael Anoka, met with executives of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Anoka said the collaboration reflected the government’s determination to eliminate longstanding electricity bottlenecks through strategic investments in infrastructure capable of improving power supply to households, businesses and public institutions.
While acknowledging recent improvements in electricity supply in parts of Asaba, the commissioner said greater investment and stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving reliable and sustainable electricity across Delta’s urban and rural communities.
He disclosed that the state government was already supporting critical transmission projects designed to strengthen the electricity network, while promising additional interventions through phased implementation and future budgetary allocations.
According to Anoka, sustained engagement with electricity operators would ensure challenges were addressed promptly through practical solutions, improved planning and coordinated execution of projects that deliver lasting benefits to residents.
He described vandalism of electricity infrastructure as one of the greatest threats to reliable power supply, urging security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents to safeguard critical public assets.
The commissioner stressed that protecting transformers, transmission lines, poles and other electricity facilities would reduce avoidable outages, preserve public investments and accelerate ongoing efforts to improve electricity distribution across the state.
Anoka assured BEDC that requests presented during the meeting would receive careful consideration, with government prioritising projects based on available resources, technical feasibility and their expected impact on electricity consumers.
He directed technical officials from the Ministry of Energy and BEDC to maintain regular consultations to ensure effective coordination, seamless implementation and timely delivery of agreed electricity improvement projects across the state.
BEDC Managing Director, Dr Abel Enechaziam, commended the state government for adopting a proactive approach, describing its commitment as a significant boost toward resolving persistent electricity distribution challenges.
Enechaziam identified ageing infrastructure, overloaded feeders, inadequate transformer capacity, damaged distribution facilities, insufficient circuit breakers and persistent vandalism as major obstacles limiting efficient electricity service across the state.
He also advocated the construction of dedicated power lines to strengthen fault isolation, minimise widespread outages and improve the reliability and resilience of the state’s electricity distribution network.
Officials of BEDC and TCN appealed for stronger protection of electricity installations.
They also warned that repeated vandalism of transformers, conductors, poles and other equipment continued to undermine improvements in power supply.
The stakeholders identified network reinforcement, transformer upgrades, rehabilitation of damaged lines among others as priority projects requiring urgent government intervention and sustained collaborative support.
They expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership between the Delta government, BEDC, TCN and other stakeholders would accelerate electricity sector reforms, improve supply reliability and support economic growth across the state.
