The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation it built in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, re-stated the Commission’s resolve to fully comply with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that all on-going projects were completed and commissioned.

He said: “Today marks the second day in our series of project commissioning. On Saturday, we were in Abia State to commission the 9-kilometer Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road and flagged off the re-construction of Oke-Ikpe-Akwete-Ohambele Road, phase II.

“Our presence here today is to share the success story of our commissioning of projects and emphasise how the NDDC is a true blessing to the people of the Niger Delta. We have made remarkable progress. Our goal is not to compete with State Governments but to complement their efforts, along with other federal agencies, in driving development in the region.

“We are here to celebrate success, as Mr. President has directed that every stalled project be completed and commissioned for the benefit of the people. By prioritising the completion of such projects, we are making a difference in the lives of our people.”

Ogbuku said that the Commission was committed to improving the living conditions of Niger Deltans, stating: “Our objective is to move the NDDC from a transactional Commission to one that is committed to the sustainable development and transformation of the Niger Delta region.”

The NDDC boss commended the traditional rulers and leaders of the benefiting communities for securing the project site and equipment to protect them from vandals. As a reward for their peaceful disposition and protecting government assets, Ogbuku promised that the NDDC would award a contract for the reconstruction of the dilapidated road leading into Amufi community.

During the ceremony, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, commended the NDDC for complementing the efforts of the state government in rural electrification.

He described the NDDC Managing Director as “Mr. Project of the Niger Delta region.”

“We are going to take it up from here by enhancing the security network to protect all your projects in Edo State. We are very happy today to be part of the commissioning of this project.”

The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, said that the project would increase productivity in businesses for companies and artisans in the beneficiary communities.

According to him: “The features of the project include; installation of 15MVA, 33/11KV transformer with 33KV 1250A SF6 circuit breaker, switch gear panels, tripping unit and 1km 33KV high tension overhead line.

The representative of Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Neda Imasuen, underscored the fact that light eliminates darkness and opens up communities to development. He expressed delight that his constituents would begin to enjoy better services from the electricity company serving the area.

He stressed: “The transformative power of electricity cannot be overstated; this project will have a multiplier effect on businesses within the community.”

Also speaking, the immediate past Senator representing Edo South in the National Assembly, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, said the impact of electricity projects were enormous, noting that the communities in Ikpoba Okha LGA would begin to reap the benefits of NDDC’s contribution to rural development.

He remarked: “For the people in this community, this project will assist in their development by providing access to electricity, benefiting both the residents and local establishments.”

The Edo State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren, said he was happy that the substation project, which commenced a few years back, had been successfully completed.

He said further: “I urge the community to take ownership of this facility for the greater good of the community and the entire Edo State.

The traditional ruler of Amufi, Ohen Iyi-Ewuara Asenoguan, thanked the NDDC for executing the electricity project and appealed for more infrastructural projects in the area.

Members of OML54 communities have asked Aradel Holdings Plc, to make available the details of the 3percent host community development fund accruable to the community as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

The people who made the demand during a town hall meeting with the management of Aradel Holdings Plc, insisted that the host communities ought to know how much has accrued to them from the 3 percent HCDT fund, either quarterly or annually.

Aradel, formerly known as Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Plc, NDPR is the operator of OML54 and Aradel Modular Refinery in Ahoada East and Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State. The company in the past, has been at loggerheads with its host communities leading to endless protests.

Speaking, the General Secretary of Ogbele community, Comrade Solomon Oyagiri, lamented that Aradell Holdings has not accorded the community its due, despite developmental promises made by its pioneer Managing Director, Aret Adams.

Oyagiri cited the continuous refusal by the company to give details of the 3 percent development fund accrued to it as one of the vexing situations created by the company, and queried the non payment of equitable fees from badges and vessels trucking at the community river bank.

He alleged that the selective justice created to cover the fraud and mismanagement of the host community trust fund was the bane of development, progress and the cause of myriads of litigations to contest injustice and marginalisation by the people and urged the company to align with genuine community representatives.

“A Post Environmental Impact Assessment, as a result of hazardous pollution and accompanying economic deprivation and social benefits to numerous fishermen and women arising from Aradel’s trucking operations on its coastal lines has not been carried out.

“We frowned at the continuous refusal by Aradell Holdings Nigeria Plc to implement the agreement reached with the community after the September 2022 peaceful protest. Even some staff of Aradel have teamed up with some of our community members to thwart the reached agreement.

“Aradel has refused to employ our sons and daughters from the host families into managerial positions; there is lack of total employment, refusal to adhere to the Local Content Act and impoverishment of our people through lack of award of contracts.”

Responding, the Community Relations Manager, Aradel Holdings Plc, Mr Blessing Okpowo, promised to take their demands to the management and assured the people that the community’s maternity home would soon be upgraded to a cottage hospital where healthcare services would be accessible and affordable.

Okpowo urged the people to be united in their demands and affairs, saying, “only unity of purpose can attract the needed development,” and assured the people of a regular interface with the community leadership.

The federal government has reversed its decision to halt the transfer of electricity regulatory oversight to state governments.

On Monday, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, addressed the two-day stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Lagos.

The workshop, focused on the implementation of the Electricity Act, was attended by the 36 state commissioners of energy and power.

The Minister’s remarks followed an announcement made a few days earlier regarding plans to pause the transfer of regulatory autonomy to states and to conduct a test phase with select states.

This announcement had led to confusion about whether the minister had the authority to issue such a directive contrary to the Act.

However, at the workshop, Adelabu clarified that the federal government would adhere to the law.

“Granting regulatory autonomy to states is a provision of the new Act, and no individual can override the Act. It’s a legal provision that must be respected by all state officials,” he stated.

Adelabu also noted that the workshop aimed to address potential challenges during the transition.

In April, NERC had transferred oversight of the electricity market to three states: Ondo, Ekiti, and Enugu.

The Electricity Act requires NERC to transfer oversight within six months after a state complies with the legal process.