Alex Otti Restores Power to 33 Communities in Abia, Ends Nine Years of Blackout

• Abia State Governor Alex Otti has restored electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West LGA, bringing an end to nearly a decade of darkness in the oil-producing area.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has restored electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, ending nine years of blackout and neglect in the oil-rich part of the state.

The Power Restoration Project was executed by the Abia State Government through the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, in fulfilment of a promise made by the Governor to the people in March 2025.

Performing the power switch-on ceremony on Monday at Central Primary School, Obehie, Otti arrived at the venue in the newly launched Abia Green Shuttle electric bus, accompanied by members of his cabinet. He recalled pledging to restore electricity to the area and to investigate the case of Mr Promise Onwukwe, whom he confirmed had now been reinstated.

The Governor urged residents to take responsibility for protecting electricity infrastructure in their communities.

“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,” Otti said.

Responding to concerns over high electricity bills following the restoration, the Governor directed that key stakeholders meet to explore possible support for residents who may struggle with payments.

“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.

Speaking at the event, the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, commended the Otti-led administration for its performance within a short period and expressed confidence that the Governor would receive strong electoral support from Ukwa West in 2027.

The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, explained that 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.

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He added that the benefiting communities were currently being metered for effective billing, stressing that electricity remains central to Abia’s development agenda.

Also speaking, the Chairman and CEO of Aba Power Limited, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, assured residents of continuous power supply, noting that the area falls within the nine local government areas supported by the company. He confirmed that power supply to the communities would be generated outside the national grid and appealed against vandalism and energy theft.

Earlier, the General Manager of ASOPADEC, Rev. Joshua Onyeike, thanked Governor Otti for restoring electricity to Asa land, describing the event as historic.

“It is with joy and happiness that we have come to ensure that the light His Excellency promised us on the 11th of March, 2025, has been restored.
This switching on of light today will inaugurate many great things that are still to come,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, several commissioners, and other senior government officials.