Residents of Opete Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have expressed excitement following the donation of a brand-new 500KVA transformer to the community by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Community Development, Olorogun Oscar Ishaka.
The transformer, donated as part of Ishaka’s efforts to address the prolonged power outage in the community, arrived at Opete at about 10pm, with residents who sighted it bursting into wild jubilation.
For over two years, Opete Community had been without public electricity following the breakdown of its transformer, a situation residents said had adversely affected businesses and slowed development in the area.
Presenting the transformer to the community leadership, Ishaka, who is the Okoke of Udu Kingdom and a former President of Opete Community, said the gesture was motivated by his genuine concern for the development and welfare of the people.
He said the prolonged power outage had been a major source of concern to him, prompting him to personally purchase the transformer to assist the community in restoring electricity.
According to him, the intervention was also in line with his commitment to supporting the development agenda of Governor Oborevwori.
Ishaka urged the community leadership and residents to protect the transformer from vandals and ensure that it is properly maintained for the benefit of the entire community.
He also called for peace and unity among the people, stressing that collective efforts were necessary to accelerate the development of Opete.
The governor’s aide commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as visible developmental projects across Opete Community, particularly the ongoing construction of the Opete Road.
He assured the governor of the community’s support, saying Opete would mobilise its people to vote for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.
“I appreciate Governor Oborevwori for giving me the platform to contribute my quota to the development of my community through my appointment,” Ishaka said.
Responding, the President of Opete Community, Comrade Sunny Jivwie, and his Vice-President, Prince Ojays Fuludu, described the transformer donation as a “rescue mission,” saying it had brought relief to residents who had endured years of darkness.
They commended Ishaka for his intervention and passion for the development of the community, while also appreciating Governor Oborevwori for appointing him.
Jivwie said the community would reciprocate the gesture through massive support for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
“Olorogun Oscar is a leader with a good heart for the community. We want to appreciate Governor Oborevwori for appointing him. Because of this, we will give all our votes to the APC. Opete is APC 5 over 5,” he said.
The community executive also expressed appreciation for the developmental projects being executed in Opete, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the people.
Some traders and artisans in the community also expressed relief, saying the prolonged power outage had negatively affected their businesses.
One of the residents, a tailor, said she had purchased an electric sewing machine but could not use it for more than two years because of the lack of electricity.
“I am very happy today because for over two years since I bought my electric tailoring machine, I have not been able to use it. But with the transformer I am seeing today, I know I will start using my machine, and it will help to boost my tailoring business,” she said.
She prayed for God’s continued blessings upon Ishaka for the intervention.
The event climaxed with a prayer session conducted by members of the Opete Christian Movement, led by Apostle Fred Kator, committing the new transformer and the restoration of electricity in the community into the hands of God.
