Hundreds of protesters from Ndokwa Nation yesterday barricaded the entrance to the Delta State Government House in Asaba for about an hour, demanding an end to what they described as more than two decades of crippling electricity blackouts across their communities. The demonstrators, comprising women, youths, community leaders and traditional masquerades, converged on the seat of government carrying old lanterns and worn-out lamps as symbols of their prolonged hardship. They displayed placards with messages including “Governor Sheriff, No Light No Vote,” “20 Years of Darkness,” “We Are Suffering,” “Over 150 Ndokwa Communities in Darkness for Over 20 Years,” and “Oil Everywhere, Light Nowhere.” The protest highlighted rising anger in the oil-rich Ndokwa area, where residents said the paradox of producing vast energy resources while living without electricity had become unbearable.
Leading the peaceful demonstration, the President General of Ndokwa Nation, Comrade Nkem Stanley Adoh, accused successive governments of neglecting the region and failing to resolve a crisis that has hindered economic growth and deepened poverty. He said families in Ndokwa had lived without access to a basic necessity for more than 20 years. According to him, students study by candlelight, while small businesses that should create jobs and sustain livelihoods have shut down due to high generator costs and unreliable alternatives. He added that hospitals and clinics struggle to function effectively when electricity-dependent equipment fails, putting lives at risk. “This is not just an inconvenience; it is a wound on the development and dignity of our communities,” Adoh said.
In a strongly worded address, the protesters said the prolonged blackout reflected failures in policy, governance and implementation rather than a technical challenge. They demanded a clear, time-bound action plan from the state government detailing what would be done, those responsible, the projected cost and when electricity would be restored to all affected communities. The group also called for an immediate independent technical audit of power infrastructure in Ndokwa, as well as emergency measures such as generator support, community charging centres and backup electricity for health facilities pending permanent solutions. Observers said the protest reflected mounting frustration in a region that hosts several oil and gas assets yet remains underdeveloped, with communities surrounded by energy wealth continuing to live without power.
Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration was committed to electrifying the state and had begun processes required under the Transmission Company of Nigeria regulatory framework to enable expanded electricity supply. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, the governor said the Ndokwa generating point had the capacity to supply power to the entire state, with additional support expected from Ughelli and Ogorode facilities. He assured the protesters that Ndokwa communities would soon be connected, adding that consultants had been engaged to complete the technical and regulatory groundwork needed to restore electricity.
