By Trackup-News Editorial Unit
09, September 2026
As torrential rains sweep across Delta State, from Warri to Asaba, Agbor to Ughelli, Sapele and several other communities, residents are experiencing an unusual reprieve.
For communities accustomed to enduring two days of power supply followed by five days of outage, the downpour has become a blessing in disguise.
The cool weather has made the absence of electricity bearable. Without the scorching heat of the dry season, residents can sleep comfortably, even without fans or air conditioners.
“We pay for electricity but we cannot enjoy it adequately,” a resident in Effurun told TrackUp NEWS. “But with this rain, at least we can sleep well at night. If this was dry season, the heat would be unbearable.”
While the rains offer temporary comfort, they also expose the critical role that stable power still plays in daily life, economic productivity and public safety.
The Enduring Need for Power, Even in the Rainy Season
Despite the cool weather, adequate electricity remains indispensable:
Economic Activities:
.
Artisans, welders, cold-room operators, barbers and small-scale manufacturers remain grounded. Productivity drops when power is unavailable, regardless of the weather.
Health and Preservation:
Food preservation remains a challenge. Traders continue to record losses as perishable goods spoil without refrigeration.
Education and Connectivity:
Students preparing for examinations struggle to study at night. Charging of phones and other devices remains difficult, limiting access to information during flood alerts.
Public Safety
Poorly lit streets and homes during storms heighten security risks and increase vulnerability to flooding and reptile intrusion.
The Way Forward: What Government Must Do
The current respite provided by the rains should not be a distraction from the urgent need for reform in the power sector.
Federal Government should:
– Revitalize Independent Power Projects (IPPs) and ensure generated power directly benefits Deltans.
– Establish an independent monitoring mechanism to evaluate the performance of BEDC across local government areas.
– Provide low-interest credit facilities for SMEs to acquire alternative energy sources.
– Invest in underground cabling and robust drainage systems in flood-prone areas to protect transformers and power lines.
The rainy season provides a natural cushion against the harsh effects of power failure. However, sustainable development cannot rely on weather. For Delta State to achieve real economic growth, reliable and affordable electricity must be treated as a fundamental right, not a seasonal privilege.
