Delta Govt plans ‘Embedded power’ supply for communities

 . Newworld Safugha, Delta state Commissioner for Energy

Delta State Government plans to operate embedded power supply that will supply communities with electricity power generated within the community, which the people will pay for.

Energy Ministry Commissioner, Mr. Newworld Safugha told journalists in his office Thursday Morning in Asaba that the “Embeded power supply” concept is an off grid power generation system of power supply that is not off-loaded into the national electricity grid. “This year, effort will be focused on embedded power generation that consumers of power will have to pay for. It will be a community thing to keep power supply steady. The power will be generated and consumed by the communities where the power is generated who must also be willing to pay for such power supply services,” Safugha said.

He revealed that investors from outside the country are already showing interest in the embedded concept of power supply. They want to come in and invest. “And we are telling them to come down and make effective commitment to the concept,” the commissioner said.

He congratulated Deltans for the current experience of enjoying regular power supply. Specifically, Safugha praised the partnership between the Ministry and the Benin Electricity that made  the power supply possible. “As far as government is concerned light is available for every delta community. Recall that power in Nigeria has been privatized. But as a government, it is our duty to ensure that Deltans have and enjoy light. Our promise before Christmas was that the Ibusa axis has been fulfilled. Before long Ogwashi-uku , Ubulu-uku, Ubulu-unor among others will soon be connected to the national grid,” Safugha said.

He explained that the assurance stemmed from the commitment made to government by BEDC which has started enumeration exercise in that axis. The commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Energy has decided to hold regular monthly meetings with BEDC, which will also have members of the Delta state House of assembly committee on power in attendance. The idea is to keep tabs on BEDC to ensure that power supply to Deltans is improved and sustained.

In answer to a question, Safugha said it was the last administration that recommended that the Independent Power Plant Project (IPP) at Oghara be sold. And this administration is going ahead with that, and shall keep the people informed when the process for its sale kicks off.

He clarified that the fire that invaded the IPP at Oghara did not burn any substantial part of the plant. “It is only some materials that were affected by the fire,” he declared.

On the reactivation of street lights in the state, Safugha announced that the generators powering street lights have not been removed as they are still in the locations. “Before long all the street lights that have not been lighted will be lighted. However, take note that we are taking the street light restoration in phases. We have started restoring the lights, but we shall do that of the express way in Asaba from the Niger Bridge head to issele-Asagba in due course,” he assured.