SIR: The outrageously epileptic power supply position that has bedraggled our social, domestic, industrial and agricultural lives right from pre-independence to post-independence smacks of the leadership's intravenous incapability for strategic repositioning and good initiative in the power sector after 48 years of independence. Nigerians have a hideous catalogue of woes to recount under the Electric Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), the National Electric Power Authority of Nigeria (NEPA) and now the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN).

In the light of the global economic meltdown, the time has come and it is now for various states in the Nigerian Federation to start to devise new ways of bringing succor to the domestic, financial and industrial lives of their people. There cannot be any meaningful development in any state, nation or country without efficient, adequate and regular supply of power. The Delta State Government is not resting on its oars as multi-dimensional strategies are being perfected with a view to alleviating the pangs of darkness cocooning Deltans.

The Delta State government has unfolded plans to build a 250-mega watts power plant in the state and talks are being held with the Italian electricity power giant, ENEL, on the project which will be executed through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This is a step in the right direction, as it will fill the shortfall in the current less than 100 MW being allocated to our state from the National Grid.

Delta State has abundant gas reserves which constitute 40 per cent of the National Gas Reserve and the state government is also strategising in this area towards increasing power supply to 150 mw and the Delta State government has paid for a turbine of 24mw and more turbines are being sourced. These are great initiatives which must be applauded.

But we call on the Delta State government to also look into one of the cheapest, environmentally friendly and neatest means of power supply - "The Solar Energy". Its sunshine potentials are renewable and long-lasting. Instead of powering street lights with generators that cost the state government millions of Naira everyday, it is cheap, neater and better to run them with solar energy. Our village boreholes, town halls and cottage industries will benefit greatly from solar energy. It will assuage noises, pollution and poverty which are Millennium Development Goals (MPG) objectives.

Finally, in fighting this hydra-headed problem of epileptic power supply, government must go at it with every weapon at its disposal to avoid waste and prodigal intemperance. We call on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to rise to the occasion because it will help spread out light to all nooks and crannies of Delta State and save cost in Asaba and Warri fuel-operated street lights. It is one of the greatest catalysts to all-embracing development.

Bobson Gbinije,
Warri, Delta State.

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