DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT GENERATE REVENUE FROM THE PHASE 1 OKPAI IPP PROJECT

By Ally

Senator Ned Nwoko had done all he needed to do for the Ndokwa nation in respect to the commencement of the OKPAI IPP phase 2 projects. But the state government need to show concern towards the commencement of the IPP projects for the benefit of the people.

Delta State likely generates revenue from the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP), given its significant contribution to Nigeria's power supply grid. The Okpai IPP, located in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, has a capacity of 930 megawatts and supplies electricity to several states, including Abuja, Anambra, Enugu and others.

The Okpai IPP Phase 1 project was commissioned in April 2005. It had a capacity of 480 megawatts and was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. 

Emphatically, Commercial operation began about seven months after commissioning, and its startup increased Nigeria's electric power production by 15 percent.

Delta state government had been systematically enjoying revenue allocation from the phase 1 project since the commissioning of the project in 2005. 

From 2005—2025 is roughly 20 years of revenue collection from the phase one project that isn't of any benefit to the host communities generating the power. What happened to the revenue generated?

In as much the project is a federal project but state affected project, it is expected for the state government to take it upon itself by systematically supporting the commencement of the project to logical conclusion between the state government, the IOCS and the federal government.

We must call a spade a spade to understand the fundamentals of transparent and accountable leadership. We must never remain nonchalant and docile as government or as people not to ask valuable questions that may set the ball rolling for the progress of the people.

Delta State's internally generated revenue and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations are most likely influenced by the state's oil and gas resources, including the Okpai IPP. 

The leadership of Delta State must work with the patriotic perception of distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko to get the second phase project done for not only the commercial benefits of the people, but the revenue increase of the state.

The government of Delta State have not really shown concern about the agony of the Ndokwa nation when it comes to the continuous agitation of the step down OKPAI IPP phase 2 projects and this isn't reflecting quality democratic standard for the benefit of the people.

Without the people there will be no government and no politics. The essence of government is to govern the people and to manage the resources of the people for the benefit of the people. But when the dividend of democracy are not felt by the people—it's the duty of the people to say no to anti-peoples government.

The basic needs of the people which includes shelter, water and electricity are the major concern of every reputable government.

Conclusively, the Delta state government must show empathy for the Ndokwa nation over the epileptic power supply. It's a taboo for a man to have food in his house and instead of feeding himself and family with it—suddenly criminals invade all the food in his house leaving them on starvation.

"We must take politics away from governance, if we are ready to deliver true dividend of democracy for the people"