A civil society group, Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), also known as “No Justice, No Peace,” has decried the prolonged power outage in Delta Steel Township, the residential area originally built for staff of the former Delta Steel Company (DSC).
According to the group, the community has been without electricity for the past 16 years, leading to the collapse of many businesses and worsening the quality of life for residents.
In a statement signed by ISRCA National Coordinator, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, the group alleged that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has attributed the power crisis to an accumulated debt of N180 million, a claim residents have disputed.
ISRCA further disclosed that between 2011 and 2013, a committee, allegedly formed by officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and members of the Steel Township community, was tasked with collecting and remitting electricity bills.
Despite claims that N700 million was paid to PHCN before BEDC took over, ISRCA accused the committee of mismanagement, stating that corrupt practices led to unremitted funds and inflated debts imposed on residents.
ISRCA criticized successive Delta State administrations, particularly those of former Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa, for neglecting the issue.
The group pointed out the irony in Uduaghan’s inaction, given his past residency in the Steel Township and former role as a doctor at the Delta Steel Company.
They also lambasted Rt. Hon. Francis Waive, the federal lawmaker representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South & Udu Federal Constituency, and Hon. Egbetamah Ovie Collins, the Delta State House of Assembly member for Udu, accusing them of using the community’s plight as a political campaign tool without delivering on their promises.
ISRCA further appealed to the current Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene and restore electricity, emphasizing that access to electricity is a fundamental human right and should not be a privilege.
Credit: Daily Post except headline
