Ughelli, Delta State – September 3, 2025 – Hon. Akpososo Oghenekaro (Mimikay), a leader from Ughelli North in the Delta State, has made an impassioned appeal to the Delta State Government to urgently address the persistent lack of electricity in Afiesere and other communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area. The appeal highlights the dire socio-economic consequences of prolonged power outages and underscores the need for immediate intervention to restore electricity to these underserved areas.
Afiesere, an oil-rich community in Ughelli North, has been grappling with erratic power supply for years, a situation exacerbated by the alleged abandonment of a critical electricity substation project over a year ago. Hon. Oghenekaro emphasized that the absence of reliable electricity has stifled economic growth, disrupted education, and hampered the quality of life for residents. “Afiesere and other parts of Ughelli are in darkness, and this is unacceptable for communities that contribute significantly to Nigeria’s oil wealth,” he stated, addressing a gathering of community leaders, youths, and residents. “Electricity is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity that drives development and empowers our people.”
He pointed out that Afiesere’s strategic importance as an oil-producing community makes the lack of electricity particularly disheartening. He noted that businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, have been forced to rely on costly generators, driving up operational costs and rendering many ventures unprofitable. “Our market women, artisans, and entrepreneurs are struggling to survive,” Oghenekaro said. “Without electricity, we are stifling innovation and pushing our youth into despair.” He also highlighted the impact on education, with students unable to study effectively at night and schools lacking the power needed for modern learning tools.
Hon. Oghenekaro’s appeal comes in the wake of a peaceful protest by Afiesere residents in May 2025, where they expressed frustration over the stalled substation project. The community accused the contractor of abandoning the initiative, leaving them in perpetual darkness despite promises of progress. Oghenekaro echoed these sentiments, urging the Delta State Government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to hold contractors accountable and expedite the completion of the substation. “This project is vital to our development. We cannot continue to live in darkness while our resources power the nation,” he declared.
He also called for broader electrification efforts across Ughelli North, including communities like Otovwierere, Okunugbe, and Ekrerhavwen, which face similar challenges. He commended Governor Oborevwori’s focus on renewable energy and infrastructure development but stressed that rural communities like Afiesere deserve urgent attention. “The state’s MORE agenda promises meaningful development, and we believe electricity is a cornerstone of that vision,” Oghenekaro said, referencing the governor’s commitment to sustainable electrification.
He proposed that the government collaborate with private sector partners to explore solar energy solutions as a stopgap measure while the substation project is revived. “Solar power can provide immediate relief to our communities,” he suggested, citing its potential to reduce dependency on the national grid.
Oghenekaro also urged the federal government to support Delta State’s efforts, given the presence of major power plants like those in Ekrerhavwen and Okpai, which feed into the national grid but leave local communities underserved.
The appeal has resonated with residents, who see electricity as a catalyst for economic revival. Hon. Oghenekaro said “I will not rest until Afiesere and Ughelli North are illuminated,”. His appeal underscores a broader call for equity, urging the government to prioritize rural communities in its development agenda. As Delta State continues to navigate its energy challenges, the voices of leaders like Oghenekaro and the communities they represent serve as a reminder that access to electricity is a fundamental driver of progress and prosperity.