THE NEED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FREE UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY TO THE THREE HOST COMMUNITIES OF UTOROGU GAS PLANT IN DELTA STATE

Zik Gbemre

We humbly write to prevail on the Federal Government of Nigeria and relevant authorities in the oil and gas industry and the Power Sector to arrange with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to provide ‘free’ uninterrupted powersupply to the three host communities of Utorogu Gas Plant, namely: Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.

BEDC had disconnected the said three host communities of Utorogu Gas Plant from the national grid for over three months now and still counting, owing to issues regarding to payment of electricity bills. But we believe this is an unjust ground for the said disconnection because of a lot of reasons.

Considering the fact the farmlands and fishponds of the locals of these three host communities were first acquired by Shell (SPDC) to build these gas facilities that have now been taken over and operated by NPDC, after the divestment by shell (SPDC)there is need for the poor locals to be compensated in some way for what they have given up. These Three host communities, namely: Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, are host to the Utorogu GasPlant and the ongoing Utorogu NAG-2 DomGas Project, which are sensitive Federal Government Gas Projects that are providing gas for the nation’s Power Stations, domestic industries, and for export purposes including the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project. The Gas Wells (where the natural gas are formed), are also located in these three host communities.

In other words, the importance of these gas facilities in Utorogu areas of Delta State to the nation’s economy cannot be overemphasized. Hence, the stated three host communities concerned deserves to be treated in all ‘fairness’; by providing them with ‘free’ uninterrupted power supply. The three host communities concerned are not asking out of the ordinary but what they are simply asking for is to have free uninterrupted power supply from the BEDC. We believe this is not asking for too much; considering the key role played by the stated three communities as ‘host’ to these Federal Government Gas assets/facilities.

The said three host communities of Utorogu Gas Plant and Utorogu NAG-2 Project cannot be living by the river side and expected to wash their faces with spittle. If they are host to the gas facilities which are ‘fueling’ the nation’s Power Stations, domestic industries and for export, then they deserve some goodwill gesture from the Federal Government and relevant authorities concerned.

To this end, the Federal Government, the Ministry of Power and the NPDC, should arrange with the BEDC as one of the Power DISCOs in the country, to provide free uninterrupted power supply to the host communities of Utorogu Gas Plant, namely; Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otu-Jeremi, as soon as practicable. This is will surely make the poor locals of the stated host communities very happy with the Federal Government, as it will make them feel like they are really part of the relevant ‘stakeholders’ in the scheme of things.

This move will also make the stated host communities locals to protect the integrity of the gas and power facilities’ located in their communities since they know that they are benefitting from them.  In other words, the above request is to ensure a ‘win-win’ situation for all relevant stakeholders and the nation’s interest at large.

We therefore urge that this request should be given the needed attention as required.