Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
History was made in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State as several communities in the council area received electricity supply from Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company based in Aba, Abia State.
Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chima Njoku, expressed excitement over the development, describing it as a long-awaited breakthrough for the people.
“My joy knows no bounds as my people now have constant, quality, and affordable electricity for the first time in years,” Njoku said.
Drawing a biblical analogy, the council chairman added: “I now feel like Simeon, the godly old man in the Bible who sang Nunc Dimittis after living to see the infant Jesus Christ dedicated in the temple.”
Residents of the benefiting communities said they had been without electricity for more than a decade. One of them, Mrs. Bernadette Obi, a large-scale fish trader in Umuola community, described the restoration of power supply as life-changing.
“Our action LGA chairman, Hon. Chima Njoku, promised during his campaign to address the perennial electricity challenge in Etche, and he has fulfilled that promise. He has shown uncommon commitment to public service,” she said.
Obi disclosed that the council chairman procured and installed several distribution transformers across the communities to ensure inclusive access to power once supply was restored.
She added that Njoku personally approached Aba Power to extend its distribution network to Etche, citing the company’s reputation for reliable service.
Confirming the development, Senior Brand and Communication Manager of Aba Power, Edise Ekong, told journalists that the Etche council boss initiated discussions with the utility.
“We were initially sceptical because Etche falls under the jurisdiction of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company,” Ekong said.
“However, following his persistence, we advised him to engage PHEDC while we reached out to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission. After due consultations, all relevant parties reached an agreement that Aba Power should supply electricity to the communities.”
Ekong expressed delight at the positive feedback from residents, noting that they were satisfied with the constancy, quality, and affordability of the power supply.
“It has been one week now, and electricity has not blinked for a second in these communities in Rivers State,” he said.
He, however, explained that sustained supply would largely depend on the availability of gas.
“As long as there is gas, our customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted electricity, except in cases of local challenges such as vehicular damage to poles, overhead lines, or vandalism of infrastructure,” Ekong added.
He also revealed that Aba Power was in discussions with several state governments, communities, and major manufacturing firms outside its current coverage area in Abia State, with a view to expanding supply beyond the Aba Ring-fenced Area.
“We will make their identities public at the appropriate time,” he said.
The development signals growing confidence in Aba Power’s operational capacity and marks a notable shift in inter-utility collaboration within Nigeria’s power sector.
