…As PowerGas Donates 500kva Transformer
BY RITA OYIBOKA
ON a warm October morning in Umueziogoli, a once-quiet village tucked within Ebedei in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State, the air buzzed, not with the hum of insects, but with something far more promising. The rhythmic clapping of women, the laughter of children, and the low murmur of elders beneath canopies signalled something historic: light had finally come.
The installation and commissioning of a 500KVA transformer, complete with high-voltage connection to the 33KV federal grid and low-voltage distribution lines, marked a turning point for this rural community that had lived too long in darkness. The project, donated by PowerGas Ebedei Limited (PEL) and coordinated by the PowerGas Ebedei Management Committee (PGMC) with contractor Jeno Nigeria Electrical, symbolised more than just electrification. It was a promise fulfilled, a long-awaited spark of progress.
A Promise Fulfilled
In her keynote speech, the Managing Director of PowerGas Ebedei Limited, Mrs. Lanre Odusote, represented by the Plant Manager, Engineer Mike Okolo, described the project as “a significant milestone not only for the company but also for the entire Umueziogoli community that graciously hosts us.”
According to her, “Electricity is the lifeblood of any community. It powers homes, schools, hospitals, and markets. It fuels economic growth, enhances living standards, and promotes a sense of safety and well-being.”
For years, Umueziogoli had been a place where night descended heavily. Businesses shut early, children squinted over homework under the dim glow of lanterns, and the hum of generators filled the humid air. But on this day, that narrative changed.
The company’s investment wasn’t just about wires and poles; it was about partnership. Odusote emphasised this point clearly: “The commissioning of this new 500KVA transformer and transmission lines demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our host community enjoys reliable and sustainable access to electricity. It is our desire to see Umueziogoli and its people thrive.”
The MD’s message also accentuated PowerGas’s broader vision, tying the initiative to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all.
Lighting Path to Development
For the Chairman of Ukwani Local Government Area, Barr. Ajede Possible, represented by Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Nomnazu Osondu, the commissioning was a powerful statement of what private-sector partnerships can achieve.
“This is happening because PowerGas has decided to change the sad narrative of infrastructural stagnation in our old communities. By this project, the company has opened Umueziogoli to real socio-economic transformation,” he said.
The local government chairman’s remarks reflected a broader reality in rural Nigeria: development often comes slowly, if at all. But with this intervention, the people of Umueziogoli now have a foundation upon which to build. “This grand gesture shows that PowerGas Ebedei Limited values people’s welfare and socio-economic development,” he continued. “I encourage the company to continue scaling up its social performance and responsiveness to the host communities.”
He urged residents to reciprocate by maintaining peace and providing a conducive environment for the company’s operations. “The synergy between company and community must remain strong.”
CSR in Action
For PowerGas’s Human Resource Business Partner for Plant Operations and Community Affairs, Bernard Nwaobia, the project represented another chapter in the company’s growing list of community-focused initiatives.
Speaking with The Pointer, he explained, “This project came about through our corporate social responsibility to the host community. We have done several projects before, but this time we decided to commission this 500KVA transformer with transmission lines reaching all corners of the community.”
Nwaobia added, “We also gave them a commuter bus for administrative and logistics use.”
“Electricity is key to development, especially in rural areas where social vices often thrive in darkness. With power, the streets brighten, homes feel safer, and businesses can operate longer hours. Small enterprises can now spring up, tailoring shops, barbers, welders, and petty traders will all benefit,” he said
And for those wondering if this was a one-off gesture, Nwaobia was quick to clarify: “We’re not done. Plans are underway to build an ultramodern town hall, and we’ve also worked jointly on roads with our sister companies. We’ll keep doing more.”
The Man Behind the Push
Behind the technical and corporate achievements stood a community man who refused to let dreams die quietly, PowerGas’s Human Resource Business Partner for Plant Operations and Community Affairs, Mr. Chiemeke Ataiku
“This project was conceived and initiated by me and my committee in 2024 to restore life to Umueziogoli,” he said.
It wasn’t an easy journey. According to Ataiku, the project faced skepticism, financial shortfalls, and technical setbacks. “We encountered a lot of resistance,” he recalled. “But eventually, the community accepted it. We formed an electricity committee involving members of the community, PowerGas Ebedei Limited, and other stakeholders to ensure proper monitoring of the contractor’s activities.”
When the first transformer installed in July 2025 developed a fault, frustration rippled through the community. “We remained focused,” Ataiku said. “Thankfully, the transformer had a one-year warranty. It was replaced immediately. That’s the transformer we are commissioning today.”
He further acknowledged the sacrifices he made. “Funding was a concern, but with understanding from our chiefs, stakeholders, and residents, we made sacrifices to complete it. Today (yesterday), we are celebrating this commissioning to God’s glory.”
Lessons from the Field
The Deputy Plant Manager, Engineer Jeremiah Jacob, who supervised much of the technical work, described the project as both a labour of love and a symbol of accountability.
“This is our first host community. It wasn’t good to see it in the darkness, so we came up with this project. Within one year, we were able to pull it off. That’s something to celebrate,” he said.
Jacob also offered a sobering reminder: “A transformer doesn’t contain living parts; it just needs proper loading and oil management. The 500KVA transformer here is one of the best brands available, but it must be maintained properly.”
He urged the community to take ownership of the infrastructure: “The environment around the transformer should be kept clean. Grass shouldn’t grow around it; it can breach high-tension lines and cause explosions. If we neglect maintenance, this project could fail within six months.”
His warning was clear and practical: community development requires community responsibility.
The Contractor’s Perspective
For the CEO of Jeno Nigeria Electrical, Engineer Emmanuel Jibunoh, the contractor that executed the project, the road to success was paved with teamwork. “This project was sponsored by PowerGas Ebedei and supported fully by the community. Even when there were hitches, everyone came together. Today, the transformer has been functioning effectively for two months already. I pray for its durability, and that it continues to serve the people well,” he said.
That prayer resonates deeply in Umueziogoli, where residents have long yearned for the hum of stable electricity.
The People Rejoice
If there was any doubt about how much this project means to the people, a brief conversation with community leaders quickly erased it. The Onu-Eze of Umueziogoli, Chief Felix Ojugbeli, could hardly hide his joy.
According to him, “For over twenty years, we lived in darkness. When PowerGas came, we hoped things would change, and they did. They’ve provided employment for our youths, kept to their MOU promises, and now brought light to our homes. We are deeply grateful.”
The Oshamuisu of Umueziogoli, Chief Louis Ubiame, echoed the same sentiment. “This project will transform our community in ways we can’t yet measure.
Our small businesses will thrive, our youths can work longer hours, and our women can process farm produce without fear of darkness. But we must protect this transformer like gold. If it is damaged, we are the ones who will suffer,” he said.
Beyond the Power Lines
The scene that day was a picture of community rebirth. The community members, youths, chiefs, contractors, local government, and PowerGas officials took pictures in front of the transformer, elders murmured prayers of thanks, and children clapped as the switch was thrown and the first bulbs flickered to life.
Electricity, experts often say, is more than power; it is opportunity. For Umueziogoli, it could be the spark that ignites a quiet economic revolution. Already, shop owners are planning to buy freezers, welders are dusting off idle equipment, and students are eager to read at night.
With steady power, small-scale enterprises, from tailoring and cassava processing to phone charging businesses, can flourish. The ripple effect could boost local income, reduce rural-urban migration, and even attract new investments to the area.
But beneath the joy lies a deeper narrative about corporate-community relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. For too long, many host communities have felt shortchanged, bearing the environmental costs without reaping the developmental benefits. The Umueziogoli Electrification Project flips that script.
It stands as a model for how sincere engagement, guided by a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU), can produce real, lasting impact. In this case, the partnership between PowerGas and its host community wasn’t just contractual, it was personal, rooted in trust and shared interest.
Powering the Future
As dusk approached and the newly electrified streets of Umueziogoli began to glow softly, the sense of transformation was almost tangible. For the first time in decades, the village didn’t descend into total darkness.
Beyond the physical light, what PowerGas brought was a spark of belief that rural communities need not be forgotten, that progress can reach the grassroots, and that when corporations truly listen to their hosts, development can be both sustainable and inclusive.
Electricity, after all, is more than current and cables. It’s a symbol of possibility. It is what allows a tailor to work after sunset, a child to study under bright light, and a market to stay open just a little longer.
And as the hum of the 500KVA transformer filled the evening air, one could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from a community finally illuminated, both literally and figuratively.
Indeed, in Umueziogoli today, darkness has finally met its match.
