Politicization Of Electricty Problem In Sapele An Ugly Trend, Indigenious Communities Writes Okowa

admin May 7, 2017

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The Indigenous communities in Sapele, Delta state has lamented the current politicization of electricity in their various communities. The communities in last meeting reached an agreement an write the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Read full letter below.

His Excellency,

Senator (Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa

Executive Governor

Delta State

Sir,

POLITICIZATION OF ELECTRICITY PROBLEM IN SAPELE: AN UGLY TREND

We write on behalf of the five indigenous communities in Sapele Local Government Area- Ugborhen, Ozue, Elume, Amukpe and Sapele- to draw your attention to the Sapele electricity issue.

You may recall that during the administration of your predecessor, Chief James Ibori, as Governor and Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, as Chairman, Sapele Local Government Area, the issue of Amupke step-down came up several times as a result of the epileptic power supply to Sapele with its attendant security risk and negative economic undertones.

Chief Igbuya, who was then council chairman, led the representatives of the five communities on a peaceful protest, which got the attention of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

Discussions were held. Consultations were made. Subsequently, the step-down and the conversion of 6.6 KVA to 11.5 KVA lines at Amukpe were achieved peacefully.

Sir, over these years, we observed decline in the activities of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and other Agencies responsible for steady supply of electricity. This led to a meeting between the leadership of the five communities and other stakeholders with His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, CFR, Mni, the Orodje of Okpe and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Ovwigho Igbuya on the way forward. His Royal Majesty and the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker promised to handle the issue.

While this was happening, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Ekabor led a protest over power outages and unreliable services.

Violence broke out following a misunderstanding between one Mr. Tive Gogori and the Police at the gate of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), Ogorode. Mr. Gogori was seriously injured. The protesters did not carry the leaders of the five communities along.

To set the record straight, two meetings were held at the Office of the Chairman, Sapele Local Government Area, Hon. Ejaife Odebala but no resolution reached.

His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, CFR, mni, the Orodje of Okpe convened a meeting at the Sapele Community Town Hall to seek solution to the epileptic power supply. Chief (Prof.) Sam Ejite Oyovbaire, Chief W. O Ayomanor, Chief (Barrister) J. Egigba, Chief G. Dafinone, Hon. Edeyan James, Chief Felix Anirah and others were in attendance. Representative of Igbo group, Chief Tony Okoro, Itsekiri group, Elder Dometa Idjere, Chief Austine Omonode, Yoruba and Ijaw groups residing in Sapele were also in attendance. A committee was set up to draw a communiqué.

Subsequently, the Speaker who was away in the United Kingdom came back and summoned a stakeholders meeting in his office on Monday, January 30, 2017 where the leaders of the five communities were invited.

The representatives of National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Generation Companies (Genkos), Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN), NIPP (Sapele), BEDC representative, Mr. Ernest Edgar, Delta State Commissioner for Power and Energy, Barr. Safugha, Chairman, House Committee on Power and Energy, Rt. Hon Peter Onwusanya, Hon Evance Iwurie, Rev. Father Ekabor, Chief Felix Anirah, Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon Ejaife Odebala, Sapele Market Traders Association and Members were in attendance.

We voiced our dissatisfaction, rejected the 2 hours supply of electricity and insisted on 18 hours daily.

After four hours, the stakeholders reached an agreement that would end the poor electricity supply to Sapele residents.

We made a pledge that we would mobilize our people to pay electricity bills as soon as power supply by BEDC improves. BEDC promised to improve power supply in Sapele. The organization also appealed to Sapele residents to pay electricity bills.

Kudos must be given to the Speaker for raising it to 8 hours as a first step and urging BEDC to stop estimated bills, provide prepaid meters to consumers and increase supply of electricity to Sapele residents.

Much to our surprise, some persons refused to sign an agreement to improve electricity in Sapele.

Apart from instigating others against BEDC and the Speaker, these individuals claimed that should the protest discontinue, Rt. Hon. Igbuya will take credit for settling the crisis. To them, no credit should go to Chief Igbuya.

This is not the first time Chief Igbuya was resolving electricity problem with BEDC. He facilitated the signing of an agreement to resolve the electricity issue between BEDC and Sawmillers in Sapele.

Today, Sawmillers are enjoying electricity while BEDC is receiving payment for electricity supplied.

Sir, we are aware that the dip in electricity supply is not only related to Sapele. Poor electricity supply is a national issue. It affects communities around Sapele. We are aware that Koko, Jesse, Mosogar , Oghara and Eku are affected as well.

Those whose villages, towns, communities and constituencies have not seen electricity for days, weeks, months and years now see Sapele as a ground to test their political popularity. They should fight for their people.

The moves made by His Royal Majesty and our dear son, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya in liaising with government to improve electricity supply in Sapele are quite satisfactory and appreciated by all.

We refuse to accept this Greek gift of “Crying more than the bereaved protest”.

All the protests that Igbuya led were peaceful and brought positive results. No individual was maligned.

However, the Friday, April 21, 2017 protest was targeted at ridiculing and painting the Speaker in bad light in the estimation of the good people of Sapele Local Government Area.

We are aware of clandestine moves by some Itsekiri groups led by Hon Micheal Diden (Ejele) aimed at sabotaging the power sector as it affects Sapele Local Government Area.

Sir, the illegal closure of markets, stores and shops by these groups is unacceptable. By the tradition of the Okpe people, it is only the government and the Orodje of Okpe that can close our markets as a sign of respect.

In the Friday, April 21, 2017 protest, our people were forced to lock up their shops owing to the fact that some individuals wanted to show their popularity and political strength.

We consider this an abominable act.

Finally, we condemn in strong terms the Friday, April 21, 2017 illegal protest led by Hon. Micheal Diden (Ejele).

By virtue of the fact that he is a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, he is an Honorable man and by that position, he ought to be a peace builder.

It is ironical that an elected official who ought to be a justice of peace will twist facts, lead an illegal protest knowing the security implications, just to score a political point.

As a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, we expect him to exhibit decorum and modicum with respect to the exalted office which he occupies.

The protest has left a sour taste of how the exalted office was debased, decimated and ridiculed on the altar of local politics.

We consider his leading a protest on a matter presided over by Your Excellency, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly as a direct affront to constituted authorities.

We say no to the flagrant disregard to constituted authorities.

We stand by the committee set up by His Royal Majesty, the communiqué and the resolutions of the stakeholders meeting held in Asaba which was lifted by the presence of the Delta State Government as represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Energy, Barr. Safugha.

We are a peace loving people. We believe that respect is reciprocal.

We call on Your Excellency to caution them to henceforth stop their overbearing arrogance, which may lead to breakdown of law and order.

Enough is enough.

We remain committed to the resolutions reached with the relevant authorities.

Thank you Sir.

Amukpe District

HON. GODDEY OKPAKO MR. FRANCIS IDONORO