Protesters from Ndokwa Nation on Wednesday stormed the Delta State Government House in Asaba, warning that they would boycott future elections if electricity is not restored to their communities.
“Tell the governor that if the IPP is not stepped down and we have light in Ndokwa Nation, we will not vote for them — there will be no vote in Ndokwa Nation,” President of the Light Up Ndokwa Association, Stanley Adoh, declared while addressing government officials.
Adoh said the protest was driven by decades of neglect despite Ndokwa hosting a major Independent Power Plant (IPP).
He said: “I speak on behalf of the protesters from Ndokwa Nation. Ndokwa Nation is made up of Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani local government areas.
“For over 20 years, we have had no electricity. Some of our communities have never seen light since their creation—not even poles, not to talk of wires.”
He recounted that in 2005, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo commission the project, it was recommended that 50 megawatts be stepped down for Ndokwa people within a 50-kilometre radius.
“This was to prevent conflict between the host communities and the company. That recommendation was approved, and immediate commencement was directed, but nothing has been done till today.
“We host the largest independent power plant. As of 2005, it generated 480 megawatts to the national grid. Today, it has been upgraded to 930 megawatts.
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“Yet, we still do not have electricity. Instead, power is distributed to about nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, while we remain in darkness.
“We have endured for years, trusting the government—from our time in the PDP to when we moved to the APC. We have written letters, but no one has responded to us.
“We have waited, we have endured, and we are tired of empty promises. What we want is clear: we need electricity from the IPP in our land. We cannot continue to generate power for others while we live in darkness,” the leader of the protesters added.
Responding, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Johnson Erijo, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
Erijo acknowledged the concerns raised and explained that changes in the power sector now allow states to play a more active role in electricity generation and distribution.
He disclosed that the state government has passed a law establishing an electricity regulatory commission and has engaged consultants to handle the technical and regulatory processes required to deliver power to Ndokwa.
While appealing for patience, he maintained that efforts are ongoing and expressed confidence that Ndokwa Nation would soon benefit from improved electricity supply.
