Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Monday, performed the switch-on ceremony to restore electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West LGA of the State, ending nine years of power blackout.
The project was executed by the Abia State government through Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC.
Performing the Power Switch-On ceremony at Obehie, Governor Otti said the realization of the project was in line with his determination to change the ugly condition of the oil-rich communities who had suffered untold neglect in the past.
Governor Otti called on the people of Ukwa to protect the electric facilities and ensure they are not vandalized or stolen by thieves.
“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,” Gov. Otti stated.
While reacting to the request for subsidising the high electricity bills as the light has been restored, Governor Otti directed that selected stakeholders should sit down and find a way out of it.
Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, in his speech, said that the power project restored included rehabilitation of 30 transformer distribution substations, installation of 12 new transformers, restoration of 34 kilometers of high-tension lines, and 3.5 kilometers of low-tension lines.
He said that the benefitting communities are currently being metered for effective billing and emphasised the importance of electricity as a key component of Abia’s developmental agenda.
