Ndokwa Youths Protest Prolonged Power Outage

In a display of frustration, hundreds of protesting youths have taken to the streets of Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state, to demand an end to the prolonged power outage that has plagued the region for over two decades.

The protests, which began yesterday, have brought commercial activities to a grinding halt, with businesses shutting down and residents expressing fear over possible escalation.

The demonstrators, predominantly youths, have erected canopies at strategic locations, including Ogume Junction and the Technical College junction in Kwale, effectively blocking traffic flow between Asaba, Kwale, and Ozoro.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Light Up Ndokwa Nation”, “No Light, No Peace”, and “We are Tired of Darkness”, the protesters are demanding that the Okpai Power Plant Step-Down facility, which supplies light to Ndokwa communities, be restored.

They argue that despite the Okpai gas reserves and power installations in the area contributing significantly to the national grid, the Ndokwa nation remains in darkness.

The protests have resulted in long queues of stranded passengers forming along the Asaba-Kwale-Ozoro highway, with vehicles heading in either direction forced to a halt.

Military personnel and police officers have been stationed at various points to monitor the situation, but so far, there have been no reports of clashes between the protesters and security forces.

The relative calm in the community belies the deep frustration and desperation felt by the residents, who have been living without electricity for over 20 years.

The protesters are adamant that their demands be met, and have vowed to continue their demonstrations until the power outage is addressed.