Don’t frustrate Okpai IPP project, Senator Nwoko tells Oborevwori
By NEXTER
Senator Ned Nwoko, has urged the Delta state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to support the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP), so that more communities can benefit from electricity in the state.
Nwoko, (PDP, Delta North) said it is to the credit of the governor if his administration ensured that development projects are evenly spread across the state.
The senator explained that the Okpai IPP is of immense economic importance not only to the people of Delta North but Delta State at large, even as he urged the governor not to play politics with the project but accord it the much-needed support for it to succeed.
He spoke against the backdrop of statement credited to the governor to the effect that the senator did not discuss the Okpai IPP initiative with him.
The governor’s position on the matter was contained in a statement issued by the Delta government house titled, “2025 Budget: Oborevwori vows more devt for Deltans” and dated November 27, 2024.
In the statement, the governor claimed that Senator Nwoko never discussed Okpai IPP with him, adding that the only time they discussed was when the Senator came to ask for some appointments for his constituents which were granted.
He said: “Sometimes, as a governor, you will hear and see some things but choose not to respond. I saw a video that went viral where the Senator representing Anioma nation, Senator Ned Nwoko, said he discussed the Okpai IPP with me.
“The only time that Ned came to see me was to solicit for appointments for his people which I granted. When I saw the video, I just smiled. Maybe he didn’t know that the video would go viral”, the governor was quoted to have asserted.
You are distorting facts on the Okpai IPP project -Senator Nwoko
However, the Delta North senator claimed Governor Oborevwori has not been honest with the IPP issue, adding that he could not have come up with the idea of a project of such magnitude without discussing it with the chief executive of the state.
The senator’s position was articulated through a statement by his director of communications, Hon. Gloria Okolugbo.
“The Okpai IPP is a project of immense importance to the people of Delta North and Delta State at large, and Senator Ned Nwoko has been unwavering in his pursuit of its progress. Senator Nwoko has been a relentless advocate for the Okpai Power Step-Down Project to ensure that Delta North communities benefit from the electricity generated in their region.
” His efforts include: Presenting evidence to the Senate and securing a Senate resolution supporting the project. Engaging with the Minister of Power. Engaging the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to expedite federal intervention”. Meeting with oil and gas companies and conducting on-site tours of the Okpai power plant to push for local electrification.
“Throughout this process, Senator Nwoko kept the Governor informed. It is inconceivable that the senator would go to great lengths and engage all stakeholders without discussing the project with the governor—a fellow party man whose election he took great risks to campaign for, even after securing his senatorial seat”.
“Why would the Senator suggest funding options, including guarantees to financiers, if he had not discussed the project with the governor? The governor is expected to provide the needed guarantees on behalf of the government. It stands to reason that the Senator undoubtedly discussed the Okpai step-down project with the governor”, the statement stated.
It noted that the governor’s consistent response to projects involving Delta North has been that the state lacks funds due to loan repayments from the previous administration. “Is the Governor now denying the existence of these loans or the ongoing repayments? If funding is a challenge, why has the Governor not prioritized critical infrastructure projects for Delta North?, the statement queried.
“The senator has engaged the governor on this project repeatedly, alongside other pressing developmental concerns critical to Delta North, including the Ogwashi-Uku Dam and the Asaba-Oko-Okpai-Abboh road. Despite these repeated conversations, no assurance was given. This led Senator Nwoko to refuse when asked to move a vote of confidence in the Governor’s administration during the last Delta North caucus meeting in Asaba. The Senator’s open reluctance marked the beginning of the impasse between him and the governor.” the statement added.
