By Michael Ilaya
Owing to the abysmal failure of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) the Professor Christopher Akpotu-led ethnic group, Isoko Development Union (IDU) has underscored the need for an alternative energy source for the Isoko nation to midwife development in the area through Gas Turbines and Independent Power Plants, urging Isoko people for collective efforts to explore the cheaper alternative of converting the gas being flared by the oil exploring companies in Isoko land to light energy.
Professor Akpotu who convened the meeting last Sunday at the national secretariat of Isoko Development Union Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, bemoaned the epileptic power supply to Isoko Nation, a situation he said has crippled businesses and the social life of the people in the area.
Akpotu said, efforts made to ensure steady power supply by Isoko people at home and in the diaspora over time have failed, adding that series of letters written to oil companies operating in the area and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, were all to no avail and urged that a committee be constituted to profile immediate solution.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Energy of Delta state, Chief Fred Obe assured of his support for any effort to ensure the achievement of regular power supply in Isoko land by tapping into the expertise of Isoko sons to harness the existing gas flaring in the oil companies by adopting a cheaper option, adding that, “Am highly elated for this great initiative and I will work with other Isoko leaders to create an enabling environment for our people to grow their various businesses. I hereby pledge my full backing and support for the success of this project to provide constant electric power supply to our people.”
He further stated that “Constant electricity has been a major challenge to the Isoko people which has hindered the growth of small and large scale businesses thereby contributing to underdevelopment of Isoko nation.
Traditional rulers of Isoko Nation berated oil companies operating in the area for insensitivity to the plight of the people and urged the people to be focused on the demand for Isoko Turbine from Agip Nigeria Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company operating in the area.
The traditional rulers however condemned the nonchalant attitude of the political class who failed to attend the meeting and kept their distance from the people they represent.
They urged the president general to write a fresh letter of demand and copy all the relevant agencies, stressing that, Isoko need light and the efforts must be sustained.
On his part, one of the consultants contacted, Engr. Michael Ekpo said, one of the challenges of the Isoko Nation’s electricity is the location of Isoko Nation to the national grid. He noted that the oil location clusters of Isoko Nation are not concentrated, unlike Okpai which has close clusters.
Ekpo said, power is expensive and noted that the request for power from oil companies should be in tandem with the provisions that should include an energy clause in the GMOU of the various communities.
He however pledged to work with the committee to find a possible solution to the epileptic power supply to Isoko Nation.
In attendance were Presidents-General of the various communities of Isoko Nation, clergymen, traditional rulers, the IDU Patron, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Rev. Agbauduta and the youth wing of Isoko Development Union, amongst others.
