…Says Okpai Power Step Down FG, AGIP, NNPCL deal
Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., Director General of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, emphasized that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s energy policy features a comprehensive framework for providing reliable power supply to all three senatorial districts, leveraging Public-Private Partnership opportunities.
He stated that the PPP proposal would encompass various strategies to rectify the power supply irregularities across the state, ensuring the state’s adherence to the federal energy law, which permits state and federal governments to invest, generate, and distribute power within their designated jurisdictions.
Dr Oghenesivbe, made the disclosure while speaking on Wednesday as guest of Orientation Panorama on Voice of Delta FM Radio in Asaba, saying that it was the responsibility of the federal government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, to fund the Okpai Power Step Down as contained in the joint venture agreement signed by all parties before the project commenced nearly three decades ago.
He said Okpai Power Step Down is a critical and very important project that will provide constant power supply to host communities in Ndokwa nation, while emphasizing the need for the federal government and other stakeholders to do the needful to bring the project to fruition.
He stated that the project financiers and investors are to be blamed for any lacuna in the Okpai Power Step Down due to the fact that it was contained in the project deal abinitio, adding that if Delta State is to be dragged in or involved in the project, it would require the consent and approval of all stakeholders who in time past invested heavily to generate power through the plant.
Oghenesivbe posited that Senator Ned Nwoko, who tried to get the state government involved in his verbal proposal to governor Oborevwori, ought to know that there is no way a fresh power step down deal can be signed with foreign investors by the State Government without the consent and active involvement of the federal government, AGIP and NNPCL, adding that doing so would illegally fracture the original joint venture agreement which expressly confer the power step down project on the Joint Venture partners.
The Bureau DG, however commended the efforts made so far by Senator Nwoko over the Okpai Power Step Down Project, saying that he did well by approaching the federal government to invoke a section of the joint venture agreement which expressly states that there shall be power step down to light up the host communities, urging the senator to follow-up with the promise made by the Honourable Minister, so that the project can be captured in the 2025 federal budget.
“Under the MORE Agenda of governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the power sector is captured. There is the plan to solve epileptic power supply in the state through Independent Power Project in partnership with local and foreign investors.
“The State Ministry of Energy and other agencies are already working out detailed documentations for review before steps are taken to drive the power sector plan.
“Governor Oborevwori’s vision for the power sector is all encompassing. It may come in phases but at the end the entire state will experience constant power supply. It’s not going to be based on ethnic sympathy or colouration. The governor’s vision cut across all communities.
“The Okpai Power Step Down is contained in the joint venture agreement between the Federal Government, AGIP and NNPCL. And Senator Ned Nwoko did well by bringing the matter to the attention of the federal government. He should take a step further by interfacing with AGIP and NNPCL.
“The good news is that FG agreed to capture the Okpai Power Step Down in the 2025 budget. It’s a done deal. Senator Nkwoko is already pulling weight in the federal scheme of things. He should sustain the tempo.
“Let me state it very clear that governor Oborevwori cannot and will not just BRING THE MONEY as directed by Ned Nwoko. That’s impossible. The governor is accountable to the people, and not in a position to spend money that is not captured in the state budget.
“Senator Nwoko’s approach to the issue is absolutely distasteful. He cannot command the governor to just BRING THE MONEY. Governor Oborevwori is also the state leader of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He’s Ned Nwoko’s leader and must be respected unconditionally.
“We pray not to find in Senator Ned, another Donald Trump, in PDP or Delta State politics. The channel of communication between a Senator under our party and our party leader in the state must be cordial and robust.
“Ned Nwoko need to be told that our party leader and governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, deserves his unconditional respect.
“Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda implementation is ongoing. Power Project is part of the plan. Let’s continue to support the governor in his strong determination to Advance Delta beyond 2027,” Oghenesivbe said.
