The Abia State Government has restored electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area that had endured total blackout for about nine years, marking a major milestone in the state’s drive for reliable and inclusive power supply.
Governor Alex Otti who stated this at the Power Switch-On ceremony held at Central Primary School, Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, where he assured residents of steady and sustainable electricity, disclosed that the reconnection fulfilled a promise he made in March to bring power back to the affected communities.
Governor Otti expressed confidence in the sustainability of the project, commending the Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, for his resilience and long-term investment in the power sector.
The State Chief Executive disclosed that Prof. Nnaji had invested about 800 million dollars to develop the power company, describing the investment as a necessary sacrifice for development.
According to the governor, the communities would enjoy uninterrupted power supply, noting that Aba Power’s independent generation model would shield them from frequent national grid collapses. He added that the state government would work with the local government and other stakeholders to support residents who may genuinely be unable to pay their electricity bills.
Governor Otti also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to merit-based appointments in the civil service, stressing that positions such as permanent secretaries are filled through competitive tests and interviews rather than local government considerations. He further disclosed that a worker earlier disengaged from service had been reinstated after investigations found him not culpable.
The governor urged residents to protect public infrastructure, warning that vandalism and sabotage could undermine development efforts.
In his address, Prof. Bart Nnaji assured residents of continuous electricity supply, explaining that Ukwa West is among the nine local government areas covered by Aba Power Limited. He said the project involved the installation of 33 transformers and several distribution lines, while a 42-kilometre power line valued at about ₦2 billion is under construction to support industries in the area.
Prof. Nnaji appealed to residents to desist from vandalism and energy theft, revealing that the new power line had already been vandalised seven times. He urged the communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
The General Manager of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Ven. Joshua Onyeike, described the restoration of electricity as a landmark achievement and a symbol of renewed hope for the people of Ukwa West, while urging residents to safeguard the facilities.
The lawmaker representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Chief Godwin Adiele, praised the Otti-led administration for its performance within a short period and expressed confidence in its ability to deliver more dividends of democracy. He also called for the commencement of key road projects and appealed for electricity tariff relief for the largely agrarian and oil-producing area.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Hon. Ikechukwu Monday, said the project covered the rehabilitation of 30 transformer substations, installation of 12 new transformers, restoration of 34 kilometres of high-tension lines and 3.5 kilometres of low-tension lines.
He added that the benefitting communities are being metered to ensure effective billing and sustainable power management.
