By Ovasa Ogaga,
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has intensified efforts to deliver round-the-clock electricity supply across the state, identifying power distribution—not generation—as the primary obstacle and unveiling plans for strategic partnerships with energy experts.
Speaking on Wednesday at Government House, Asaba, during a high-level meeting with Power Acumen Consulting Ltd, Detail Solicitors, and Nigeria Infrastructure Bank, the governor said his administration is pursuing a structured roadmap to achieve sustainable and reliable electricity under its “Light Up and Industrialise Delta State Initiative.”
Oborevwori disclosed that a joint technical team comprising state officials and consultants will be constituted to develop an actionable framework for 24-hour power supply, stressing that the government is focused on results-driven collaboration rather than theoretical proposals.
“We do not want to act blindly. We need a clear, well-structured plan that guarantees long-term success,” the governor said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to reforms, infrastructure expansion, and policy alignment in the energy sector.
He noted that while Delta has made notable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, stable electricity remains the critical missing link needed to unlock industrial growth and economic transformation.
Despite the state’s strong generation capacity, Oborevwori emphasised that inefficiencies in transmission and distribution continue to limit access to power. “We can generate significant megawatts daily, but distributing that power efficiently to homes and businesses remains the major hurdle,” he stated.
To address this gap, the state government has enacted an Electricity Law aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for power sector reforms. Consultants have also been engaged to review existing policies, with recommendations expected to guide implementation in the coming months.
The governor revealed that some communities that had been without electricity for over a decade have recently been reconnected to the national grid, while ongoing projects focus on extending power infrastructure to key economic corridors.
He also called for stronger stakeholder engagement, urging traditional rulers, youth leaders, and residents to support government efforts by protecting electricity infrastructure and promoting responsible usage.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd, Matthew Edevbie, highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that although Delta State has an installed generation capacity of about 3,000 megawatts—driven by facilities in Okpai, Ughelli, and Sapele—it currently utilises less than 200 megawatts.
Edevbie attributed the disparity to the lack of control over transmission and distribution, advocating for the development of a state-owned power grid to harness and efficiently distribute available energy.
He expressed optimism that with proper coordination, regulatory backing, and private-sector collaboration, Delta could achieve a 24-hour electricity supply in key cities such as Warri and Asaba before the end of the year.
The renewed push underscores the state government’s strategy to leverage partnerships and institutional reforms to close longstanding gaps in electricity supply and drive industrialisation.
