Stable electricity supply, no doubt, plays a vital role in the development an economy as it stimulates sustainable growth via increased productivity. The electricity sector also creates jobs along the generation, transmission and distribution chain thereby contributing to wealth creation.
Also worth noting here is that stable electricity supply is essential for industrialization, which subsequently enables the growth of manufacturing, mining, and other industries. Electricity also provides lighting, heating, and cooling which immensely contribute to improving living standards and quality of life.
Obviously, the importance of stable electricity supply may have indeed, informed the decision of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration to craft the strategic Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024 which was passed by the state House of Assembly and subsequently assented into law by the Governor.
The strategic Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024, which Governor Oborevwori described as a game changer in the state’s rapid industrialisation drive, was, last Thursday, signed into law along with six other bills that were presented to him for assent by the Speaker of the state legislature, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
Other bills he assented to are; Delta State Physical and Regional Planning Bill, 2024; Delta State Film and Video Censor’s Board Bill, 2024; Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics (Amendment) Law, 2024; Child Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Delta State Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Bill, 2024, and the Delta State College of Health Technology, Ovrode Bill, 2024.
Assenting to bills, Governor Oborevwori commended the leadership of the House for passing the important bills carefully crafted to address pressing issues and challenges to improve the quality of life of the people, saying “We have just witnessed the signing into law, the seven bills geared towards enhancing Delta State through our MORE Agenda.
“The laws that l have just assented to are very key, especially the Delta State Electricity Power Sector Law 2024. This particular law gives me immense joy in assenting to it. We have provided the legal framework to unlock a plethora of investment opportunities in the power generation, transmission and distribution investment.
“The state is now open for prospective investors in this sector to take advantage of it. I believe that this bill that l have assented to today (Thursday) will improve our power sector which is very key because, you can’t do any investment without power.
“Power is very key and I can tell you today that we have the population and now the legal framework for investment to thrive. The State is now open for investments.” Governor Oborevwori said.
The Governor noted that the Child Rights Amendment Law 2024 had provided more safeguards for children, pointing out that henceforth, no child should be employed or used for domestic help outside their homes or family environment.
“It also establishes an Adoption Service Department in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development to address the challenges of prospective adopting parents. Our children are the future and must be protected. These bills that have been assented to will protect our vulnerable populations, improve quality of life, promote sustainable development and environmental protection, attract investment and increase our internally generated revenue (IGR).
“We must recognise that our work is far from over. We must now ensure the effective and efficient implementation of these laws. I, therefore, urge all stakeholders to work together to guarantee a successful outcome,” Governor Oborevwori said.
Earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, while presenting the bills congratulated Governor Oborevwori on the massive construction projects across the state, saying that Deltans were happy getting commensurate value for monies appropriated for projects. He said that the inputs of Deltans were sought through presentation of memoranda during the House public hearings on the new bills before they were passed.
ln another development, Delta State Government has assured the people of Okpanam and other parts of the state that the new Delta State Electricity Sector Law 2024 would significantly expand access to enhanced power challenge in the state.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo gave the assurance while addressing a group of youths under the aegis of Okpanam Youths Organization who staged a peaceful protest to Government House, Asaba, over total blackout in their community.
Erijo said the bill which has now been assented into law by Governor Oborevwori was a deliberate effort to give private sector investors the opportunity to provide enhanced electricity supply to residents of the state as an alternative to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). While thanking the youths for their peaceful disposition, he said a lot was being done by the government to address the challenge of insecurity occasioned by the total blackout.
“First, I want to thank you for this very peaceful protest that you brought to Government House, Asaba. The governor was having an audience when you came and that is why he has asked me to come and talk to you to know what the issue is all about.
“Let me again thank you for your very kind words and the appreciation you have shown for the efforts of your dear governor. Like he has promised to do more, he will surely do that. Coming back to the issues of why you are here, from your placards, you have come to complain about the activities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for lack of light, which, from your statement, may have resulted in issues of security.
“If there were light on the streets of Okpanam, the crime rate may not be as rampant as it is now. I want to thank you for being peaceful by coming forth to tell the governor your challenges. The issue of power is a national issue. But with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, they have now liberalized power and our proactive governor is almost at the final stage of putting a proper legislative framework in place to deal with the issue.
“Even here in Government House, we don’t use BEDC because of these challenges. But I can assure you that in the next few months, once the legislative framework is settled and the commission is in place, the issue of electricity supply will become a commercial venture and a lot of investors are waiting. Once this is done, nobody will tell them to sit up.
“So, I want to appeal to you to be patient. We share your pain. It is not just in Okpanam but in various communities too. When our governor goes on inspections, the people will tell him that they know how much he is doing but still ask that he help them with power. So, your governor is mindful of your pains,” Erijo added. He said the cardinal goal of Governor Oborevwori was to ensure that dividends of democracy were equitably distributed to all parts of the state.
Earlier, the President-General of Okpanam Youth Organisation, Comrade Lucky Okolo who spoke on behalf of concerned indigenes, residents and stakeholders of the Okpanam Community said they were in Government House to thank the governor for the provision of landmark projects to Okpanam Community.
Comrade Okolo, however, appeal to the state government to prevail on the BEDC to reverse the power blackout they have been experiencing for some months. Mr. Okolo said lack of electricity has worsened insecurity and urged the state government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders to come to their aid, even as he pledged their total support to the governor for the accelerated development of the state.
