MILITANTS in the oil-rich Delta State rose from a meeting, weekend, promising to lay down their arms and support the Power Projects to be embarked upon soon by the state government in partnership with private investors.
Four power plants are being planned through the Delta Energy Development Programme.
The Delta Energy Power programme will involve the construction of an off grid transmission and distribution lines, which will serve the areas of the state not currently being served by the national grid.
It also includes dedicated power to industries to be sited in several industrial parks in the state.
The four power plants with 625 Mega Watts (MW) each are to be located in Okpia, Ndokwa East Local Government Area; Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government Area; Ugborhen, Sapele local government Area and Oboghoro, Warri North local Government.
The power plants are expected to be constructed within 26 months and would supply electricity to the 1,509 communities in the state.
A senior operative of one of the militant groups who attended the meeting told Vanguard, yesterday, “Industrialization and increased economic activities are the solution to the crisis that we have been talking about. We will do all in our power to ensure that industries come to the riverine area of Delta State because of this power programme”.
“Information reached us here in the creeks that officials of the state government and some private investors met recently in London where they concluded plans for the construction of four power plants in the state and we have resolved within us to give the project the needed support”, he added.
His words, “The contractors are free to come and commence work as we have decided to down tools for the power projects.”
A youth activist in Oporoza said, “Our leader is very happy about the plan of the state government to build four power plants in the state and he has asked us to join the development train of Governor Uduaghan.”
“It is our resolve to down tools and come out of the creeks to be part of this laudable projects”, he added.
Another youth leader at Okerenkoko who gave his name as Benson showered praises on the State Government for the planned Power Projects, saying it would boost commerce and industry in the area when completed in 2010.
In his words; “Militants in this zone want to take up meaningful employment, they are no longer interested in militancy. It is better to work for the growth of the state than to cause mayhem here and there. We want to give our total support to the Power Projects of the State Government.”