President of Isoko Development Union, Youth Wing, Mr Mzee Iraroraina Obokpaino, has called on communities in Isoko nation to wake up to the call and invest their 3% Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, into power and energy towards the development of Isoko and make it an economic hub of Delta state with The procurement of Independent Power Plant, IPP, project.
This call was made at the maiden edition of Okugbe-Isoko Economic Youth summit with the theme, Energy: The Path Way To Societal Development, organized by the youth wing of IDU in Oleh Isoko South local Government Area of Delta State.
According to Obakpaino, “Isoko is that ethnic nationality that is fantastically blessed with human and natural resources but there is gross underdevelopment despite our massive contribution of oil and gas since its discovery in large quantity.
“We are people living in the midst of plenty and lagging behind, we are living in the show of chasing shadows as the state of electricity and we are suggesting and seriously appealing to communities to see the need to invest part of the it 3% provided for by the PIA as a viable project.
“Isoko nation shall become one great economic community within a space of 10years with massive production and commercial activities with the abundance of gas and it will attract minimal cost of powering the plant.”
“We are appealing to all stakeholders to synergize with constituted committee and partner with outside stakeholders so that Isoko attain energy sufficiency to generate alternative energy capable of attracting investors with our abundance of raw materials in the land.” He held.
On his part, the immediate past chairman of Isoko south local government area, Chief Itiako Ikpokpo who was a guest speaker lamented over the attitude of some community leaders toward the power issues affecting Isoko nation.
He said, “Light is life, light illuminates and the foundation of anything or developed society is light and it is sad that Nigeria economy has crumble because there is no power generation.
“I am urging our lawmakers to domesticate laws on energy distribution in other to boost economic growth and development of the nation and Isoko in particular.”
Also, the president general of Isoko Development Union, Prof Chris Akpotu said, “The best way for development is power and energy and we have taken it as a strategic project and we are putting in place every thing possible to achieve this in the shortest possible time.
“Isoko is major stakeholder in as far as the oil business is concerned in Nigeria because we have the oil and gas as a natural resources in abundance, and if we can harness all that is required, the IPP project is a project that we can achieve.
We are discussing with all necessary agencies and maximize the gain for that and going into this project, we are very ready to move into the action arena, especially when we have what it takes in terms of the natural resources that is required.
“I know the PIA has not been implemented here in the Isoko sector but we have been able to reach out to all the necessary structures to synergized our thoughts and actualize what we have discussed today”
In a related development, 50 persons trained on various skills acquisition by IDU Youth Wing were presented with starter packs.
Items presented to the trainees were, Sumo pumping machine with tarpaulin fish ponds, Sewing and Weaving machines, Hair Dressing kits, certificate of participation and completion of training and amongst others.
Dignitaries at the summit were, Senator Joel-Onowakpo, Rt Hon Jonathan Ajiroghene Ukodhiko, Chief Eta Enahoro, Chief Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, IDU executive members led by its president, Prof Chris Akpotu, Dr Emumena David, Barr Afor Irogbo, Barr Paul Emerhana, Evang Emmanuel Ofano and Unicman members and many others.
