Group express concerns over 17yr darkness in Delta Community

A group under the auspices of the Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA)AKA “No Justice, No Peace” today expressed concern over the seventeen (17)years of persistent darkness in DSC township, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. 

The group said the 17years of darkness in the Community symbolizes a tale of hardship for numerous veteran staff members of the formerly thriving plant.

This is contained in a statement made available to Our Correspondent in Warri by ISRCA National Coordinator,Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen.

The group noted that, "The facility, which once employed thousands, now represents a shattered dream in terms of industrial purpose and has suffered a complete power outage, plunging the steel township into a deplorable state.

The group commended the Governor of Delta State, RT.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his exceptional infrastructural development projects in the State. 

According to the group, they said DSC township remained without electricity for over seventeen (17) years despite, "The Delta State Government's initiative to enhance rural electrification and improve power supply through the 'Light Up Delta Initiative', which includes maintenance of existing infrastructure and partnership with Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

"The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), acting through the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has attributed this to an alleged debt of N180 million in power consumption charges, stemming from accumulated bills despite prolonged periods of power outage.

"It was subsequently alleged that between 2011 and 2013, officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, in collaboration with Steel Town's management, established a committee mandated to collect and remit electricity bills, with a total sum of N700 million paid to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria until the Benin Electricity Distribution Company took over and presented an unrealistic figure, which the residents were unable to afford, resulting in the entire steel township remaining in total darkness.

"On several occasions, I have previously notified the Delta State Government through various media channels and facilitated a meeting between steel residents and the Udu Council Chairman, Hon. Oyibode Vincent, last year, where he pledged to restore electricity to the steel township. 

"Unfortunately, despite his assurances, the issue remains unresolved, with minimal effort from the council chairman to address this challenge.

"Delta Steel Township has undergone significant transformation from its previous state to a thriving community with designated voting wards. Resolving the power outage issues faced by residents in this area would be a considerable achievement, especially during your second term in office, and would have a profound impact. Nevertheless, I humbly request that the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori, intervene in the matter, ensuring the restoration of electricity to the Steel Township."