Delta’s Industrial Future: Oborevwori Unveils New Development Initiative

With the introduction of the “Light Up To Industrialize Delta Initiative” by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba, the Delta State Government is well-positioned to address the state’s epileptic power supply problem.

The initiative is a daring attempt to spearhead 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 propelled by reliable power.

These stances resulted from a strategic discussion that Governor Oborevwori conducted on Wednesday in Government House, Asaba, with representatives from Power Acumen Consulting Ltd. (PACL), Detail Solictors, and Nigeria Infrastructure Bank (NIB).

Governor Oborevwori “approved the engagement of Power Acumen Consulting Limited to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Delta’s electricity ecosystem,” according to Ekedayen.

He clarified that this is the result of the consultants’ thorough fieldwork since late 2025, which involved interacting with stakeholders and examining institutional and infrastructure deficiencies along the power value chain.

He said that the firm’s interim assessment, which called for a comprehensive revamp of the state’s electrical laws and policy framework, was a sign of systemic flaws that the administration was now ready to rectify.

“A comprehensive and practical roadmap will be provided in the upcoming weeks,” Ekedayen stated. The creation of a State Electricity Commission to oversee and manage the changing electricity industry would be a crucial reform element.

“Deltans will start to see quantifiable improvements in electricity supply in the not-too-distant future.”

In a similar vein, Mr. Michael Anoka, the Commissioner for Energy, shed additional information on the initiative’s operational framework by 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 substantial amounts of electricity are still underutilized.

“Our priority is not generation, but efficient transmission and distribution,” he stated, adding that the administration plans to expand the project throughout the state after achieving a 24-hour electricity supply in Asaba and Warri over the next 12 months.

He also revealed plans to create an autonomous 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 Okpai, Transcorp Ughelli, and Sapele.

Anoka emphasized that the project goes beyond power delivery to act as a catalyst for economic change, employment creation, and investment inflow, characterizing energy as the foundation of industrialization.

Speaking as well, Mr. Fidelis Tilije, the Commissioner for Finance, emphasized that money would not be an issue and reiterated the state government’s steadfast financial preparedness to support every stage of the program.

He emphasized the importance of a steady power supply 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 financial standpoint.

Engineer Matthew Edevbie of Power Acumen Consulting Ltd. (PACL), who offered additional technical insight during the briefing, emphasized the importance of energy to sustainable growth, characterizing it as the “lifeblood” of any prosperous 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 prosperity, true economic success must be purposefully matched with social fairness 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 ensure careful planning, execution, and monitoring of all project phases, particularly the crucial twelve-month rollout period.