By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, ASABA
DELTA: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has taken a bold step toward unlocking the state’s industrial potential with the signing of the Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024, into law. The move is seen as a strategic game-changer aimed at attracting private investment and expanding electricity access in a state long burdened by erratic power supply.
Speaking shortly after assenting to the bill and six others at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori described the power law as a “milestone achievement” that aligns with his administration’s MORE Agenda for economic transformation and social development.
“This particular law gives me immense joy. It provides the legal framework to unlock a plethora of opportunities in power generation, transmission, and distribution,” Oborevwori stated. “No meaningful investment can thrive without power. With our population and this new legal backing, Delta State is now wide open for investment.”
He said the state is deliberately creating a conducive environment for industrialisation and appealed to both local and international investors to take advantage of the reform.
Among the other laws signed were those targeting social development, including the Child Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which prohibits the employment of children as domestic help outside their homes and establishes an Adoption Service Department under the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“Our children are the future and must be protected. With this amendment, we are safeguarding their rights and creating a structured adoption system to support families and orphans,” the governor said.
Also signed into law were the Delta State Physical and Regional Planning Bill; Film and Video Censor’s Board Bill; Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics (Amendment) Law; Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Bill; and the Delta State College of Health Technology, Ovrode Bill—all aimed at strengthening governance, education, and public health frameworks.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, who presented the bills to the governor, praised the legislature for being responsive to the needs of Deltans. He said the public played a role in shaping the bills through memoranda submitted during legislative hearings.
“The House carried out broad consultations to reflect the yearnings of the people,” Guwor noted. “These laws represent a collective aspiration for a better Delta.”
Stakeholders have already begun to applaud the electricity sector law. Speaking on behalf of security stakeholders, a senior officer from the Nigeria Police Force, who pleaded anonymity, welcomed the reform, noting that improved electricity would help in combating crime more effectively.
“Stable power enhances surveillance systems, improves our communication infrastructure, and m
“Our communities need light, industries need light, and young people need jobs. The moment you power the state, you empower the people,” he said.
As implementation begins, Oborevwori urged all ministries and agencies to prioritize enforcement of the laws, noting that the state would closely monitor performance to ensure the goals of the legislation are met.
“We must not relent. Implementation is key. I call on all stakeholders to work in unity for the greater good of our state,” he said.
With the passage of these critical laws, Delta State is positioning itself as a model for subnational governance reforms creating a new narrative of inclusion, development, and opportunity in the Niger Delta.