Rivers State: Seizing the Mantle of Energy Sovereignty

 

            Dr Chris Barigbon 

Power: The Primal Catalyst of Progress

Electricity is not a mere convenience; it is the very lifeblood of economic prosperity, industrial ingenuity, and societal advancement. Yet, decades of mismanagement, bureaucratic lethargy, and mutual recrimination have left Nigeria’s power sector in a perennial state of dysfunction. 

Why, then, should Rivers State remain tethered to this cycle of dependency?

A Historic Window of Opportunity:

The Federal Government has, at last, fully liberalised the power sector, granting states and private actors the unassailable right to generate, distribute, and retail electricity independently. Moreover, the injection of N3.3 trillion to clear outstanding gas debts now dismantles a longstanding operational bottleneck. 

These are not mere policy gestures—they are clarion calls for action.

Lessons from Neighbours, Action Over Excuses:

Consider Abia State: Umuahia now enjoys reliable electricity, and distribution is expanding, with full delinking from the national grid on the horizon. Similarly, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom have launched initiatives to generate and distribute sufficient power within their territories, demonstrating that self-directed energy management is not only feasible but transformative.

Their successes underscore a simple truth: energy sovereignty is attainable when vision replaces blame.

Rivers State: A Sleeping Giant Awaits Awakening:

Rivers State is uniquely endowed, both historically and materially. The Justice G.O. Omereji Judicial Panel of Inquiry (2007–2015) identified irregularities in the divestiture of the Eleme and Omoku gas turbines. Today, in the context of sectoral liberalisation, Rivers State can revisit these findings, reclaim its assets, and establish a state-operated electricity market. The prize? A self-sufficient, robust, and prosperous energy ecosystem.

From Flaring to Empowerment:

Gas flares scar the landscape while citizens endure rolling blackouts. This is a paradox—and a tragedy of self-infliction. By harnessing its natural resources, Rivers State can break free from the failing national grid, mitigate recurrent crises, and claim its rightful energy sovereignty.

A Call to Legislative and Executive Resolve:

The path forward demands decisive legal and policy action, beginning with the Rivers State House of Assembly and fortified by the political will of the executive. Visionary leadership can recalibrate the state’s energy architecture, secure socio-economic resilience, and ignite sustainable growth.

Conclusion: 

Destiny Demands Action

The lesson of Abia, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom is incontrovertible: recrimination achieves nothing. Rivers State possesses the resources, the mandate, and the opportunity to chart its own destiny. Citizens deserve more than sporadic electricity—they deserve empowerment, prosperity, and a future lit by deliberate action rather than chance. The moment to seize this mantle is now.

Chris Barisi Barigbon, PhD

Budding Scholar of the Society

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education