PRESS RELEASE

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Energy was created on 27th March, 2001, following the splitting of the former Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport into separate Ministries including the present Ministry of Energy which was constituted by the Electrical Unit in the defunct Ministry.

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY

The responsibilities assigned to the Ministry by the Secretary to the State Government’s Circular No. SGD.10/T/1 of 4th June, 2007, include:

Formulation of Energy Policies;

Urban and Rural Electrification;

Provision of Infrastructure for Electricity Power Supply;

Electrical Engineering Services; and

Electronics Engineering Services.

The Ministry was created with the aim of co-ordinating activities of the State Government in the energy sector through ensuring a sustained partnership with the Federal Government and the Private Sector for the development of Infrastructure for generation of adequate and reliable electricity power, for use by Deltans. The Ministry also explores avenues for the utilization of Renewable Energy resources in the State for Energy Services as well as Telecommunication and Electronic Engineering Technology Development.

The above responsibilities fit into the current administration’s SMART agenda of:

Stratagic Wealth Creation and Provision of Job for all Deltans

Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability

Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated Industrialization

Relevant Health and Educational Policies

Transformed Environment Through Massive Urban Renewal

The Ministry’s responsibilities are clearly covered in the first and last aspects of the SMART agenda.


3.0 ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY – IMPACT ON DELTANS.

The Policy thrust of the State Government in the Energy Sector is to ensure the adequate provision of electricity infrastructure and services to all communities in the state to enhance the standard of living, socioeconomic and industrial growth and development.

The problem of inadequate supply of power from the national grid is one that has given so much concern to Government across the Federation. The role that power plays in promoting the growth of industries, micro, small and medium scale enterprises and in the provision of opportunities for self-employment cannot be over-emphasized. It should be mentioned that for such industries and enterprises to be sustained, they require adequate supply of power. It is in realization of this that the State Government has:

embarked on provision of requisite electrical infrastructure including transformers of various categories to boost power supply,

carried out reactivation of broken down infrastructure;

undertaken reinforcement of electricity supply lines where they are required;

constructed substations, high tension and low tension distribution lines, etc

The above are efforts made by the State Government towards improving power supply in the State. Realizing the importance of adequate power supply in the sustenance of micro, small and medium scale enterprises to which many Deltans are engaged for their livelihood, Government has taken far reaching steps in its effort to boost power supply to the operators of businesses under the enterprises. Tailors, Barbers, Hairdressers, Electrical/Electronic Mechanics, etc. in the state have been beneficiaries in this regard. The objective of Government is to improve the standard of living of this set of citizens in its avowed objective of prosperity for all Deltans. It is also aimed at provision of employment opportunities for the teeming population of unemployed youths who are being encouraged to learn various entrepreneurial skills, to ensure that they are gainfully self-employed. The final destination and goal of government effort is the reduction of poverty in the State and institution of an enduring and inclusive development.

Apart from the above mentioned activities aimed at reducing poverty and providing employment opportunities, the government through the Ministry of Energy vigorously engaged in:

extension of electricity power supply to Urban/Rural communities;

upgrading/reinforcement of power supply networks in towns/cities/urban centres;

installation/operation of generator/solar-powered streetlights in urban cities and other communities; and

installation/operation of generators in Government offices and residential quarters.

Presently, the electricity power supply in the State is inadequate. The State requires about 1010 megawats (mw) of electricity, while just about 100 megawatts (mw) is available from the national grid. The State is served from 5 different 132/33kv transmission substations. Two of the substations are located at Sapele and Ughelli, while the remaining three are located outside the State.

Altogether there are five power plants in the State that deliver power into the national grid. They are: two at Sapele; two at Delta IV Power Station, Ekakpamre and one at Okpai. The plant at okpai is the only one operating at full capacity.

4.0 ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MINISTRY UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

In response to the power supply situation highlighted above, the State Government has undertaken a total of 13( thirteen) power supply projects since 29th of May, 2016 at a total cost of N433,650,525.69(four hundred and thirty three million, six hundred and fifty thousand, five hundred and twenty five naira, sixty nine kobo). A list of projects undertaken by the Ministry is attached for reference:

4.1 Electricity Power Supply

The Ministry has undertaken projects such as:Re-activitation of electricity power supply schemes in places like Ogbein Ama town in Bomadi Local Government Area,

Reinforcement/ rehabilitation of electricity power supply in towns like Ibusa, in Oshimili North, Local Government Area and Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Installation of various capacities of Transformers in the state capital and other locations.

4.2 Conversion of Generator Powered Street Lights to Public Power Supply

The State Government is currently undertaking the conversion of the generator powered streetlights to Public power supply. The idea is to cut down on high rate of government expenditure in purchase of diesel to power the generators. With the conversion, government expenditure will reduce with the resort to the public power supply. The first phase of the project is on-going in the State ca

pital.

4.3 Renewable Energy Development

Apart from provision of infrastructure aimed at boosting power supply from the national grid, the State Government has gone on to exploit opportunities provided by alternative sources of power supply. Sources given due attention include:

Solar Energy Deployment

Bio Energy Development

Wind Energy Development

Presently, a number of memoranda of understanding (MoU), have been signed between the state Government and foreign investors towards generating sustainable power from the above mentioned sources of energy. They include agreement with:

Luxra Nig. Ltd., a British based Investor – for generation of 300 megawatts of electricity from Solar PV Plants to be sited in the State.

Yutai-Li Nig. Ltd. – a China based Investor – for construction of 100 megawatts of Solar PV Plant at Otolokpo/Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area.

Plans have reached advanced stage for the signing of MoU with Bastanchury Power Solutions Ltd., for the development of an 8.5 megawatts Gas-Turbine Asaba Integrated Power Project, to provide electricity power to all Government offices, residential quarters and facilities in the State