ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR IFEANYI OKOWA IN THE ENERGY SECTOR SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN MAY 2015

0.1 INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Energy was created on 27th March, 2001, following the splitting of the former Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport into separate Ministries including the present Ministry of Energy which was constituted by the Electrical Unit in the defunct Ministry.

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY

The responsibilities assigned to the Ministry by the Secretary to the State Government’s Circular No. SGD.10/T/1 of 4th June, 2007, include:

Formulation of Energy Policies;

Urban and Rural Electrification;

Provision of Infrastructure for Electricity Power Supply;

Electrical Engineering Services; and

Electronics Engineering Services.

The Ministry was created with the aim of co-ordinating activities of the State Government in the energy sector through ensuring a sustained partnership with the Federal Government and the Private Sector for the development of Infrastructure for generation of adequate and reliable electricity power, for use by Deltans. The Ministry also explores avenues for the utilization of Renewable Energy resources in the State for Energy Services as well as Telecommunication and Electronic Engineering Technology Development.

The above responsibilities fit into the current administration’s SMART agenda of:

Stratagic Wealth Creation and Provision of Job for all Deltans

Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability

Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated Industrialization

Relevant Health and Educational Policies

Transformed Environment Through Massive Urban Renewal

The Ministry’s responsibilities are clearly covered in the first and last aspects of the SMART agenda.
3.0 ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY – IMPACT ON DELTANS.

The Policy thrust of the State Government in the Energy Sector is to ensure the adequate provision of electricity infrastructure and services to all communities in the state to enhance the standard of living, socioeconomic and industrial growth and development.

The problem of inadequate supply of power from the national grid is one that has given so much concern to Government across the Federation. The role that power plays in promoting the growth of industries, micro, small and medium scale enterprises and in the provision of opportunities for self-employment cannot be over-emphasized. It should be mentioned that for such industries and enterprises to be sustained, they require adequate supply of power. It is in realization of this that the State Government has:

embarked on provision of requisite electrical infrastructure including transformers of various categories to boost power supply,

carried out reactivation of broken down infrastructure;

undertaken reinforcement of electricity supply lines where they are required;

constructed substations, high tension and low tension distribution lines, etc

The above are efforts made by the State Government towards improving power supply in the State. Realizing the importance of adequate power supply in the sustenance of micro, small and medium scale enterprises to which many Deltans are engaged for their livelihood, Government has taken far reaching steps in its effort to boost power supply to the operators of businesses under the enterprises. Tailors, Barbers, Hairdressers, Electrical/Electronic Mechanics, etc. in the state have been beneficiaries in this regard. The objective of Government is to improve the standard of living of this set of citizens in its avowed objective of prosperity for all Deltans. It is also aimed at provision of employment opportunities for the teeming population of unemployed youths who are being encouraged to learn various entrepreneurial skills, to ensure that they are gainfully self-employed. The final destination and goal of government effort is the reduction of poverty in the State.