Mrs Ifeoma Agbomah, Chairman, Delta State Rural Development Agency (RDA) said that the state government has distributed 15 electricity transformers to boost power supply in rural communities across the state.

The Chairman disclosed this on Thursday March 19, 2015 at Otolokpo in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state during an inspection tour of some of the Agency’s projects.

Our correspondent reports that the RDA inspection team led by the Chairman visited the agency’s projects in four local government areas in Delta North Senatorial Districts to ascertain progress made so far.

“So far, we have giving out about 15 transformers to the rural communities who requested for them as an intervention from the state government and the jobs we have awarded are about 17.

“Ideally we are supposed to give out transformers and install but due to pressure, we give them transformers and feeders and tell them to go and install in a space of three months or we take it and give to those who are ready to install,” she said.

She noted that the agency commenced the released of those transformers and the award of contracts the re-enforcement and rehabilitation of electricity supply network since July 2014.

She said that the state government decided on the intervention projects to enable the rural communities benefit from the power reformed programme in which the private sector was in control.

Agbomah charged the communities to provide security from vandals for the transformers and other ancillary equipment being provided by government in order to encourage government to do more.

The Chairman said that the Agency’s 300/33/0415kv at Ugbolu, Oshimili North LGA and that of the Utagba Uno, Ndokwa West LGA projects were 90 per cent and 70 per cent complete.

According to her the Agency’s 300/11/0415kv at Otolokpo and that of Delta Development Property Agency (DDPA) Housing Estate in Agbor, Ika South LGAs re-enforcement and rehabilitation of electricity supply network has been completed and connected to the national grid.

“And from what you can see here the job is well done and the community and the landlords in the areas have confirmed that electricity supply in the areas has improved and that they are enjoying the light.

“As it is now the state government is doing this as an intervention project because ideally with the privatization, the electricity needs of the people should be met by the new operators of the electricity company.

“But what currently applies is that the distribution company seem to leave everything for the government and more disturbing is the high electricity bills been served the people”.

She, however, said that government has thought it necessary to invest in the projects to enable the people enjoy the dividends of democracy, otherwise they would suffer.

Some of the residents who spoke to journalists on the projects lauded the state government interventions, adding that since the installation of the transformers and reconnection to the national grid there has been an improvement in electricity supply.

They also pledged to safeguard the projects from vandals and encourage government to extend the gesture to other rural communities in the area.

His Royal Majesty, Obi Collins Anioma, Obi of Otolokpo thanked the agency for the intervention and pledged to continue to support anything that would bring the dividends of democracy and development in the area.

Also, Mr Fred Ofume, Chairman, Ika South LGA said with such intervention was a big relief to the LGA and thanked the agency for chosen to site the project in the new area to help open the area.

“The state government has done well be installing this transformer and getting connected to the national grid to improve power in this new DDPA estate.

“We will secure the transformer from being vandalized and my advise for the people in the area is that they should use energy saving bulbs in order to prolong the life span of the transformers,” Ofume said.

Also, Mr Benson Agwu, a landlord at the DDPA estate confirmed that there has been a tremendous improvement on electricity supply to the estate since the transformer was completed and connected to the national grid.

Our correspondent also reports that most of these projects would soon be commissioned by the state government and handed over to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

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