The spokesperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State, Innocent Lord-Douglas, has urged the state government to appoint a seasoned technocrat as Commissioner for Power, stressing that the strategic sector should not be driven by political considerations.
His call comes amid ongoing discussions over the appointment and screening of commissioner nominees in Rivers State, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for competence and professionalism in managing critical sectors of government.
Speaking in an interview with reporters in Port Harcourt, Dr. Lord-Douglas said the electricity sector is vital to economic growth, industrial development, and job creation in the state, and therefore requires a professional with strong technical knowledge and experience in the energy industry.
Dr Innocent Lord-Douglas
According to him, the government must ensure that politics does not influence the selection of a Commissioner for Power.
“The electricity sector is one of the areas where government must make a very careful and critical selection of whoever will serve as Commissioner for Power,” he said. “Politics should be far away from this sector. The government should look for a practising technocrat who understands the technicalities of electricity generation, distribution, and management.”
He noted that appointing a qualified professional would not only enhance efficiency in the sector but also improve the state’s reputation within the power industry.
The labour leader further explained that Rivers State stands to benefit significantly from the evolving electricity framework in Nigeria, which now allows states greater participation in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
He said with the right leadership in the Ministry of Power, the state could harness its natural and economic resources to strengthen the electricity sector and stimulate economic growth.
Dr. Lord-Douglas added that improved power supply would boost industrial productivity, attract investors, and support the expansion of small and medium-scale enterprises across the state.
“This sector has the potential to completely revamp the economy of Rivers State,” he said. “If properly managed, the state can become self-sufficient in power and even generate excess electricity.”
He also suggested that Rivers State could evolve into a regional energy hub by supplying electricity to neighbouring states and contributing more significantly to the national grid.
“With the resources available in Rivers State, we can become very strong in electricity generation. The state can grow to become an exporter of energy to nearby states and even contribute significantly to the federal grid,” he added.
Dr. Lord-Douglas therefore urged the state government and the Rivers State House of Assembly to ensure that competence, integrity, and professional experience guide the screening and confirmation of nominees, particularly for ministries that are crucial to the state’s economic development.
He expressed optimism that with the right leadership in the power sector, Rivers State could unlock new economic opportunities and further strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s leading economic centres.
By Nzeuzor Jane and Maduadugwo Jane, Port-Harcourt
