Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, the distinguished representative of Delta North senatorial district, evidently fosters a trusting and highly supportive relationship with his constituents. However, one cannot help but notice his distinctive interest and unwavering commitment to the Ndokwa Nation.
The Ndokwa Nation, endowed with notable oil and gas reserves, plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy. In fact, the Ndokwa/Ukwuani constituency stands as the largest crude oil and gas hub in Africa. One might presume that a people blessed with such abundance would enjoy all the comforts of life and more. However, the reality is quite the opposite.
During the last senatorial campaign, Prince Ned Nwoko, accompanied by his campaign team, traversed the entirety of the Ndokwa area. What he encountered brought him to tears – communities living in squalor, enduring profound poverty and suffering. These were the same people responsible for producing the cornerstone of the nation’s economy – crude oil and gas. Yet, they lacked basic amenities such as electricity, good roads, standard hospitals, well-equipped schools (both primary and tertiary), clean water, affordable housing, and other essentials that could enhance their quality of life. The area was glaringly marked by signs of underdevelopment, a stark contrast to its resource wealth.
Witnessing their plight and frustration firsthand, Ned Nwoko made a solemn promise to champion the cause of the Ndokwa nation. He vowed to ensure they received the recognition and benefits they rightfully deserved from the federal government, should he emerge victorious in the election and earn the people’s mandate.
True to his word, he emerged victorious and has since remained steadfast in fulfilling his promise.
Whilst leading the fight against crude oil and gas theft in the Niger Delta, Senator Ned Nwoko has also urged the federal government to legalize artisanal refining and provide full support to local refiners whose activities are currently deemed illegal. Some locals, driven by frustration and poverty, siphon crude oil and utilize rudimentary techniques to refine it. The senator, who unequivocally condemns crude oil theft in any form, also highlighted that legalizing artisanal refining would enable these locals to produce more refined products at affordable rates for citizens.
At the core of his push to legalize artisanal refining lies his concern for his people, particularly the Ndokwa nation, aiming to empower them to have direct earnings and control over their liquid gold.
Furthermore, Senator Ned Nwoko’s engagements with the Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regarding the distribution of electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant to host communities underscores his dedication to fulfilling his promise to the people.
The senator has never asserted claims to initiating or attracting the OIPP project. However, upon assuming office, it is incumbent upon a representative not only to attract and initiate new projects but also to ensure and facilitate the completion of existing projects in his constituency. The approval for the distribution of 100 megawatts of electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant to host communities was granted about 19 years ago; however, there have been unexplained delays in executing this crucial project.
As a federal government project, Senator Ned Nwoko recognized the importance of hearing the reasons for the delay directly from the authorities. He convened a meeting with the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, to inquire about the unexplained delays in executing these crucial projects. The Ministry and Agency cited the lack of funds as the primary obstacle to project execution, stressing the necessity of financial support from the National Assembly to implement the Senate’s resolutions on the motion raised by Senator Ned Nwoko regarding the issue.
In response, Senator Nwoko pledged to expedite the approval of funds for the project upon receiving a detailed budget analysis from the ministry/agency. This mutual agreement and understanding prompted the ministry to mobilize the contractor back to the site. According to the information personally conveyed by the minister to Senator Ned Nwoko, the contractor and workers are currently mobilizing back to the site.
The Senator’s efforts didn’t end there. While the OIPP is a federal government project that must be funded by the federal government, he is also advocating for the possibility of state government financing the project and requesting a refund from the FG. During his recent visit, he discussed this with the state Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who agreed to consider funding the completion of the OIPP project and making a request for the federal government to refund the state.
Additionally, there is another power plant in Sapele, about which the Minister of Power shared necessary information with Senator Ned, and the distinguished Senator also discussed it with the Governor. With both power plants functioning as they should, Delta State as a whole will be properly electrified.
Senator Ned Nwoko is precisely executing what he should to ensure the success of distributing 100 megawatts of electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant, which has been delayed for years. He has also made it known that he will collaborate with all concerned parties to make this step down happen this year. It is his responsibility to achieve this, and he is clearly not in competition with anyone or any group, nor is he seeking self-glorification. His focus, evident in his actions, is to ensure that the project is actualized as soon as possible. His door is open to anybody or any group that may have effective opinions or information about the project. Again, this is another recorded success in progress for the people.
What about the idea of having the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy in Ndokwa? Senator Ned Nwoko has reaffirmed his commitment to this promise by championing a bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kwale. Currently, the sole NDA is situated in Kaduna state. Senator Nwoko has underscored the significance of establishing another NDA to cater to the southern region of Nigeria. His bill seeking the establishment of one in Kwale has successfully cleared its first reading in the Senate, marking yet another promising stride for the people.
The Ndokwa region, by virtue of its geographical location, grapples with the recurring challenge of flooding. This predicament is further exacerbated by the inadequate road infrastructure. During his tour, Prince Ned Nwoko personally witnessed the devastating impact of these issues. In response, he has emphasized the critical need for the construction of a coastal road in the Oko and Ndokwa axis to mitigate the persistent flooding from the River Niger.
The Senate has recognized the imperative of dredging the River Niger and River Benue to tackle this challenge effectively. The proposed coastal road, stretching from Ebu, Oko, Okpai, Aboh, down to Patani, will incorporate elevation and embankment measures to prevent flooding. The road will complement the existing coastal road project awarded by the President, linking Lagos, Delta, and Akwa-Ibom states.
The Ndokwa axis also grapples with environmental degradation due to gas flaring and oil spillage resulting from the operations of oil companies. While actively combating oil spillage through his environmental team, Senator Ned Nwoko has also submitted a motion to address the issue of gas flaring in the area. The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Stop Gas Flaring and Enforce Anti-Gas Flaring Regulations in Ndokwa Land and the Niger Delta Region,” has been submitted for listing.
It is needless to mention that in the 2024 appropriation, diverse projects were strategically placed in the axis. This acknowledgment does not diminish the Senator’s commitment to other areas within his senatorial district. However, those with an unwavering conscience will concur with the Senator that the Ndokwa nation has endured marginalization for far too long and warrants special attention.
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