In Nigeria, the phrase “this world no balance” resonates deeply, encapsulating a pervasive sense of inequity and systemic rigging that leaves many citizens feeling marginalised and forgotten. This sentiment is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible reality that permeates the fabric of national life, affecting everything from politics to infrastructure development.
Nowhere is this disparity more glaring than in the plight of Ndokwa East, Delta State, where the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP) stands as a stark symbol of unfulfilled promises and overlooked communities.
The Okpai power plant, a joint venture between the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was commissioned during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. This ambitious project, located near the River Niger about 60 km southwest of Onitsha, was envisioned as a beacon of progress and development. With an initial capacity of 450 MW, the plant was set to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s power sector, providing much-needed electricity to a nation plagued by chronic power shortages.
Recent negotiations have focused on the Okpai Phase II project, which aims to increase the plant’s generating capacity by an additional 450 MW. Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure would be further strengthened by this expansion, which is expected to be accomplished using a combined cycle gas turbine facility. But this enormous project’s advantages have mostly escaped the local community where it is located.
A Rigged System: The Host Community Doesn’t See the Benefits,
Despite being close to Ndokwa East, the Okpai power plant hasn’t done much to ease the community’s electricity problems, living according to the Nigerian proverb “this world no balance.” After the plant was finished, the power it produced was connected to the National Grid and stepped down at Obosi, Anambra State, which is around sixty kilometers distant. From an infrastructure standpoint, this choice was strategic, but it has left the host town in constant darkness.
While the rest of the nation benefits from the plant’s output, the community that bears the brunt of its operations remains unlit. The situation is a poignant reminder of the systemic neglect that plagues many Nigerian communities, where development projects often serve to exacerbate existing inequalities rather than mitigate them.
The impact of this neglect is profound and multifaceted. For the people of Ndokwa East, the lack of electricity is not just an inconvenience but a barrier to progress. Businesses struggle to operate without a reliable power supply, stifling economic growth and entrepreneurship. Schools and hospitals, too, are hampered by the absence of electricity, compromising the quality of education and healthcare services.
The environmental cost is equally alarming. When oil companies flared gas from the site of the plant, the community suffered from the environmental fallout, including air pollution and health issues. Now that the gas has been converted to electricity, the community remains in the dark, both literally and metaphorically, as they see no benefit from the plant’s operations.
Calls for Justice and Equity
The plight of Ndokwa East has sparked calls for justice and equity from various stakeholders, including community leaders, civil society organizations, and even some government officials. There is a growing consensus that the benefits of the Okpai power plant should be extended to the host community, dispelling the darkness that has shrouded it for so long.
Community leaders have been vocal in their demands, calling on the federal and state governments to ensure that the host community is not left behind in the nation’s quest for energy independence. They argue that providing electricity to Ndokwa East is not just a matter of equity but also a recognition of the community’s contribution to the nation’s power sector.
The Role of Stakeholders
The completion and optimal performance of the Okpai Phase II project are crucial for addressing Nigeria’s power challenges. However, the roles of various stakeholders, including NAOC, NNPC, and the federal government, are equally important in ensuring that the benefits of this project are equitably distributed.
NAOC and NNPC, as the primary stakeholders, have a responsibility to ensure that the host community is not marginalized. This could involve investing in local infrastructure, providing employment opportunities, and ensuring that a portion of the generated electricity is allocated to the community.
The federal government, on the other hand, must play a regulatory and oversight role, ensuring that the interests of the host community are protected and that the project’s benefits are extended to them. This could involve enacting policies that mandate community participation and benefit-sharing in such projects.
A Call for Balance
The situation in Ndokwa East is a microcosm of the broader issues facing Nigeria—a rigged system that often leaves marginalized communities behind. The Okpai power plant, while a significant achievement in the nation’s power sector, serves as a reminder of the need for balance and equity in development projects.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with power shortages and infrastructural challenges, it is imperative that the benefits of such projects are extended to the communities that host them. Only then can we begin to address the systemic inequalities that have left so many feeling forgotten and helpless.
For now, Okpai, Aboh, and Abalagada have been connected to the grid. The need to connect the communities surrounding the power plant is not just an infrastructural issue, but a matter of justice and equity. The people of Ndokwa East have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s power sector and deserve to reap the benefits of their efforts. By ensuring that the Okpai power plant serves the community that hosts it, we can take a step towards a more balanced and equitable Nigeria—a Nigeria where “this world has balance.”