Governor Alex Otti has performed the official groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a total of 15 MVA Injection substation to improve electricity supply within Umuahia and its environs.
The 15 MVA substation includes the 7.5 MVA injection sub-station being executed by the federal government through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and another 7.5 MVA injection sub-station being done by the Abia State government as provided for in the 2026 budget.
Speaking at the event held behind Abia Secretariat, Ogurube layout Umuahia, Governor Otti said though, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company is installing a 7.5MVA,33/11KV injection sub-station, his administration has gone ahead to include in the 2026 budget another 7.5 MVA injection sub-station as to completely solve the power problems within Umuahia and environs.
The Governor who titled his speech; “Energy and Development” noted that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company is through the investment accelerating national development by solving a problem that had for decades limited the productivity of the people as well as wealth creation.
Governor Otti noted that his administration has taken bold and pragmatic steps to fixing electricity challenges of the state through informed legislation, policy initiatives, recruitment, investment, partnership and has also prioritized the optimization of energy supply and consumption.
He noted that with the enabling laws and other support structures already put in place, the state guarantees the security of investments.
The Governor used the occasion to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for effective redirection of the national Outlook on electricity to accommodate a broader spectrum of stakeholders including states, players in the private sector and a network of international partners for the strategic infrastructure investment designed to improve power distribution within and around the capital city.
Governor Otti said his administration has concluded arrangements with Heirs Holdings to commence supply of Gas to Aba Power from the first quarter of next year, noted that some parts of Aba recently celebrated 90 days of uninterrupted power supply.
He equally appreciated the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited for its bold step and unyielding commitment to value creation across the broad spectrum of national electricity ecosystem covering generation, transmission and distribution.
He assured that the state government will leverage every resources at its disposal to see to the timely actualization and activation of the project and described electricity as the foundation of development, the enabler of growth as well as pathway to social prosperity.
In his speech, the Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, assured the Governor of the continuous support of the State House of Assembly through relevant legislations and applauded the development initiatives of the Governor.
In their goodwill messages, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Obi Aguocha and a former member that represented Ikwuano/ Umuahia, Mr Oluchi Ibeji, acknowledged the giant strides of Governor Otti in all sectors of the State economy, describing power as the fulcrum of development.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, said that the whole essence of the project is to improve the power distribution within Umuahia and its environs, noting that the project aligns perfectly with the transformation agenda of the Governor in the power sector.
Presenting her address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mrs Jennifer Adighije represented by the Executive Director Networks, Mr Bello Bello, described the groundbreaking ceremony as a significant milestone in its company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigerian power infrastructure, enhance industrial productivity and support sustainable economic growth across the country.
He disclosed that the key installations include; 7.5MVA, 33/11 KV Injection substation, 1 Kilometre of 33 KV Line and 1.2Kilometres of 11 KV Line, Installation of Two Units of 300KVA Distribution Substations and Deployment of 2 Kilometres of Low Tension Line.
The Secretary to Abia State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Deputy Chief of Staff, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo, members of the state executive council, Government appointees among other distinguished personalities were present during the groundbreaking ceremony.
