With the introduction of the “Light Up To Industrialize Delta Initiative” by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba, the Delta State Government is ready to take decisive action against the state’s epileptic power supply issue.
The initiative is a daring attempt to advance an ambitious scheme that would guarantee the state’s 24-hour electrical supply in order to spur industrialization.
Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, presented the Oborevwori administration’s strategic plan to reposition the state as a center of industrial growth powered by reliable electricity.
These stances resulted from a strategic meeting that Governor Oborevwori had with representatives of Nigeria Infrastructure Bank (NIB), Power Acumen Consulting Ltd. (PACL), and Detail Solictors on Wednesday at Government House in Asaba.
Governor Oborevwori “approved the engagement of Power Acumen Consulting Limited to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Delta’s electricity ecosystem,” according to information released by Ekedayen.
He clarified that this is the result of the consultants’ thorough fieldwork since late 2025, which involved interacting with stakeholders and analyzing institutional and infrastructure deficiencies along the power value chain.
He said that the firm’s interim assessment, which suggested a comprehensive revision of the state’s electrical laws and policy framework, was a sign of structural flaws that were deeply ingrained and that the government was now ready to rectify.
In the upcoming weeks, a thorough and practical roadmap will be provided, according to Ekedayen. The creation of a State Electricity Commission to oversee and manage the developing power industry would be a crucial reform element.
“Deltans will start to see quantifiable improvements in the supply of electricity in the near future.”
In a similar vein, Mr. Michael Anoka, the Commissioner for Energy, provided additional insight into the initiative’s operational framework, characterizing it as a “bold and transformative program” intended to unleash Delta’s industrial potential.
Anoka clarified that the state would make the most of its current power producing capability, especially from Okpai and Ughelli, where sizable amounts of electricity are still underutilized.
“Our priority is not generation, but efficient transmission and distribution,” he stated, adding that the administration intends to expand the project throughout the state after achieving 24-hour electricity supply in Asaba and Warri over the next 12 months.
He also revealed plans to create an independent State electrical grid and continued cooperation with Power Acumen Consulting and Benin electrical Distribution Company to fortify distribution networks.
He clarified that this was an unprecedented action that was anticipated to maximize electricity delivery from several generation sources, such as Sapele, Okpai, and Transcorp Ughelli.
Anoka emphasized that the project goes beyond power delivery to act as a catalyst for economic change, employment creation, and investment inflow, describing electricity as the foundation of industrialization.
Speaking as well, Mr. Fidelis Tilije, Commissioner for Finance, emphasized that finance would not be an issue and reiterated the state government’s steadfast financial willingness to support every stage of the effort.
He emphasized the critical role that a steady power supply plays as a foundation for industrialization and stated that the administration is still fully committed to providing the financial support required to guarantee the project’s successful completion.
Erhabor Okogun, Managing Director of Infrastructure Bank Plc, stated that Delta has the financial and resource foundation necessary to propel extensive infrastructure development, supporting the state’s vision from a funding standpoint.
Engineer Matthew Edevbie of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd. (PACL), who offered additional technical insight during the briefing, emphasized the importance of electricity to sustainable growth and referred to it as the “lifeblood” of every successful economy.
Drawing on more than 20 years of expertise in the business, he pointed out that no significant industrialization can take place without dependable power, emphasizing that in order to achieve inclusive and long-lasting growth, true economic advancement must be purposefully coordinated with social justice and environmental sustainability.
In order to establish a strong foundation for long-term success and establish Delta State as a model for power-driven industrialization in Nigeria, he promised that Power Acumen Consulting Limited, as technical partners, would guarantee careful planning, execution, and monitoring of all project phases, especially the crucial twelve-month rollout period.
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