Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has restored electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, ending a nine-year blackout in the oil-rich part of the state.
The intervention followed the completion of the Power Restoration Project carried out by the Abia State Government through the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, under the supervision of the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, in line with a promise made by the governor in March 2025.
Speaking at the power switch-on ceremony on Monday at Central Primary School, Obehie, Otti said the project fulfilled his commitment to the people of Ukwa West. He also recalled pledging to investigate the case of Mr Promise Onwukwe, noting that the affected officer had now been reinstated as promised. The governor arrived at the event aboard the newly launched Abia Green Shuttle EV bus, alongside members of his cabinet.
The governor urged residents to protect electricity infrastructure in their communities and guard against vandalism.
He said, “I believe that we have a responsibility to protect what is in our community.
“Nobody can do it better than you. And those thieves do not come from heaven. They are all part and parcel of the community.”
On concerns about high electricity tariffs following the restoration, Otti directed that key stakeholders should meet to work out measures to support residents who may struggle to pay.
“That is how society works. So, I will give a job to the Mayor to sit down with the Honourable Member, the Commissioner and all the capable people so that we can work out a way to support those who cannot pay,” he added.
In his remarks, the lawmaker representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, praised the performance of the Otti-led administration and assured that the governor would be rewarded with votes from the area in 2027.
He expressed confidence that development initiatives in Ukwa West would be sustained.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, said the project involved the rehabilitation of 30 transformer distribution substations, the installation of 12 new transformers, the restoration of 34 kilometres of high-tension lines and 3.5 kilometres of low-tension lines.
He added that the benefiting communities were being metered for effective billing and stressed that electricity remains a critical pillar of Abia State’s development drive.
Also speaking, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aba Power Limited, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, assured residents of steady electricity supply, noting that Ukwa West falls within the nine local government areas served by Aba Power Limited.
He confirmed that 33 transformers and several distribution lines had been deployed to the area, explaining that electricity would be generated outside the national grid, while urging residents to desist from vandalism and energy theft.
Earlier, the General Manager of ASOPADEC, Rev. Joshua Onyeike, thanked Governor Otti for restoring electricity to Asa land, describing the development as historic.
ALSO READ: ChatGPT features Spotify wrapped-style year-end review
“It is with joy and happiness that we have come to do this important assignment this evening, and that is to ensure that the light which His Excellency promised us on the 11th of March, 2025, has been dutifully restored and rekindled. Today, we have come to switch it on so that there will be light in our various homes, on the roads, and in all the communities.
“This is significant because the switching on of this light today will inaugurate many great things that are still to come,” Rev. Onyeike stated.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; commissioners, including Mr Philemon Ogbonna (Environment) and Prince Okey Kanu (Information); and a former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu, among others.