Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
After nine years of living in darkness, public power supply has been restored to 33 communities in the oil-rich Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
Residents of the area trooped out in large numbers on Tuesday to welcome Governor Alex Otti, who officially inaugurated the power restoration project.
Ukwa West, the only oil-producing local government area in Abia State, had been without electricity for nearly a decade following the vandalisation of power lines supplying the area.
The restoration project was executed by the Abia State Government through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), under the supervision of the Abia State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities.
Speaking during the power switch-on ceremony at Central Primary School, Obehie, Governor Otti—who arrived at the venue aboard the newly launched Abia Green Shuttle electric bus alongside members of his cabinet—recalled his earlier promise to restore electricity to the affected communities.
The Governor also stated that, in line with his promise, the case of Mr. Promise Onwukwe had been investigated and that he had been reinstated into service.
Governor Otti urged residents of Ukwa West to protect the electricity infrastructure and guard against vandalism.
“I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect what is in our community. Nobody can do it better than you. Those thieves do not come from heaven; they are part and parcel of the community,” the Governor said.
Responding to concerns over high electricity bills following the restoration of power, Governor Otti directed that selected stakeholders should meet to explore ways of subsidising costs for residents who may be unable to pay.
“That is how society works. I will give the Mayor the responsibility to sit down with the Honourable Member, the Commissioner, and other stakeholders to work out a way to support those who cannot pay,” he said.
The member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, commended the Otti-led administration for its achievements within a short period and assured the Governor of the people’s support in the 2027 elections. He expressed confidence that development projects in the area would be sustained.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, said 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 added that the benefiting communities were currently being metered to ensure effective billing, stressing that electricity remains a critical component of Abia State’s development agenda.
Also speaking, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aba Power Limited, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, assured residents of uninterrupted power supply. He explained that Ukwa West falls within the nine local government areas served by Aba Power Limited.
Prof. Nnaji confirmed that the area had received 33 transformers and several distribution lines, noting that electricity would be generated outside the national grid. He appealed to 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 occasion as historic.
“It is with joy and happiness that we have gathered to carry out this important assignment—ensuring that the light His Excellency promised us on March 11, 2025, has been restored. Today, we have come to switch it on so that there will be light in our homes, on our roads, and in all our communities,” he said.
Rev. Onyeike added that the restoration of electricity would usher in more developmental benefits for the area.
Dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna; the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu; and other government officials.
