Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has restored electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, bringing to an end nine years of prolonged blackout in the oil-producing area.
The power restoration project was executed by the Abia State Government through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities. The intervention fulfilled a commitment made by the Governor to the people of Ukwa West in March 2025.
Speaking at the official power switch-on ceremony held at Central Primary School, Obehie, Governor Otti recalled his earlier promise to restore electricity to the communities and confirmed that Mr. Promise Onwukwe, whose case he pledged to investigate, had been reinstated into service.
The Governor, who arrived at the venue aboard the newly launched Abia Green Shuttle Electric Vehicle alongside members of his cabinet, urged residents to take ownership of the power infrastructure and protect it from vandalism.
“We all have a responsibility to protect what belongs to our communities. Nobody can do this better than you. Those who vandalise facilities do not come from heaven; they are part of the community,” Governor Otti said.
Responding to concerns over high electricity bills following the restoration of power, the Governor directed that a stakeholders’ committee be constituted to explore ways of providing support for residents who may be unable to afford the charges.
“That is how society works. I will mandate the Mayor to sit down with the Honourable Member, the Commissioner and other relevant stakeholders to work out a way to support those who cannot pay,” he added.
The member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, commended the Otti-led administration for its impactful achievements within a short period, assuring that the Governor would enjoy massive electoral support from Ukwa West in the 2027 general elections. He expressed optimism that more developmental projects would reach the area.
In his address, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed that the project involved the rehabilitation of 30 transformer distribution substations, installation of 12 new transformers, restoration of 34 kilometres of high-tension lines, and 3.5 kilometres of low-tension lines.
He noted that beneficiary communities were currently being metered to ensure efficient billing and stressed that electricity remains a critical pillar of the state’s development agenda.
Also speaking, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aba Power Limited, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, assured residents of sustained power supply, explaining that Ukwa West falls within the nine local government areas covered by Aba Power. He confirmed the deployment of 33 transformers and several distribution lines to the area, adding that power would be generated independently of the national grid. He also appealed to residents to desist from vandalism and energy theft.
Earlier, the General Manager of ASOPADEC, Rev. Joshua Onyeike, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for restoring electricity to Asa land, describing the event as historic and transformative.
“It is with joy and gratitude that we carry out this important assignment today. The light promised by His Excellency on March 11, 2025, has been faithfully restored. Today, we switch it on so that there will be light in our homes, on our roads, and across all our communities. This moment marks the beginning of many greater things to come,” Rev. Onyeike said.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna; Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu; and other top government officials.
Leave a comment