KWALE: Massive protests erupted on Monday in Kwale, the commercial hub of Ndokwa West Local Government Area in Delta State, as over 200 angry youths took to the streets to protest 16 years of continuous power outage in the region.
The demonstrators, carrying placards with bold inscriptions like Light Up Ndokwa Nation, We Are Tired of Darkness, and No Light, No Peace, blocked major roads and paralyzed commercial activities in the area.
The protests were triggered by years of frustration over poor electricity supply despite the presence of the Okpai Power Plant and gas facilities contributing to the national grid.
Protesters initially blocked the Ughelli/Ogwashi-Ukwu expressway near New Haven Junction, Umuseti in Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom. Although security agents dispersed them using teargas around 9 a.m. the demonstrators regrouped and barricaded Umusam Junction near Technical College/Ughelli Park using trailers and other heavy objects.
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Traffic between Asaba and Kwale, as well as Kwale and Ozoro, came to a standstill as long lines of stranded vehicles formed. Canopies and roadblocks were also set up at Ogume Junction along the busy Asaba–Kwale–Ozoro highway and the Technical College Junction on the Asaba–Ughelli road.
Amid fears of escalation, local businesses closed their doors, and residents stayed indoors. However, there were no reports of violence or physical clashes, as military and police officers were stationed at strategic points to monitor the protest.
A protest spokesperson, who declined to be named, said the demonstration highlights the deep-rooted marginalization of Ndokwa communities despite their contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector: The Federal Ministry of Power and Delta State Government must act now. We have suffered long enough. Okpai supplies power to the nation, yet our homes remain in darkness.
Notably, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, and former Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Friday Osanebi, both natives of the area, previously declared support for the Light Up Ndokwa movement.
A senior police officer on ground refused to comment, referring journalists to the Delta State Police Headquarters in Asaba.
Protesters, meanwhile, vowed to continue their peaceful demonstration until their demands are met
