An indigene of Isoko nation and a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), Engineer James Ikumariegbe Ozore, has charged representative of Delta South Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, to use his good offices to lift the Isoko nation out of darkness.
Ozore, who initiated and facilitated several power projects across the country during his time at the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) prior to the privatization of the power sector, also urged other wealthy and influential sons and daughters of the Isoko stock to use their wealth of experience and sphere of influence to put pressure on the appropriate authorities to lift oil-rich area from darkness.
His call followed the constant outage that has become the lot of the Isoko nationality represented by Isoko North and Isoko South council areas of Delta State, insisting that the situation in Isoko land as it relates to lack of electricity supply could only be likened to when ‘soap enters a man’s eye in a river full of water.’
“As a major oil-producing area, what is happening in Isoko land is unacceptable, given the fact that the two local governments contribute significantly to the resources that sustain the Delta State economy and that of the entire country.
“I plead with good-spirited individuals in the public and private sectors, as well as corporate organizations to provide solar mini grids for all Isoko communities. They should please help to lift Isoko out of darkness.
“Specifically, as the senator representing Isoko people in the Senate, Joel-Onowakpo should champion efforts aimed at providing reliable, adequate and affordable power supply that is needed for industrial development, which is lacking in Isoko,” a correspondence he sent to the senator reads.
He explained that he earlier sent a proposal to the President of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Prof Chris Akpotu to meet the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh and the Executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the completion of the Ozoro 132KV/33KV Transmission Station designed to supply the whole of Isoko land with adequate and reliable power that was awarded in 2014.
Engineer Ozore, therefore, sought Senator Joel-Onowakpo’s intervention and liaise with the federal and Delta State governments, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), as well as the leadership of IDU to achieve the desired results.
“Also try to factor in the provision of solar mini grids that will supply power to homes in your constituency projects. A solar mini grid in Emede Community and its environs will lift many homes out of darkness,” he added.
