GOV. ALEX OTTI SPEAKS TO ABIANS: Gov. Alex Otti Announces Major Breakthrough in Abia’s Power Sector, Says Over 8,000 Solar Streetlights Installed as State Secures Umuahia Power Deal with EEDC

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has announced a significant milestone in his administration’s drive to achieve stable and sustainable electricity across the state, revealing that over 8,000 solar-powered streetlights have already been installed under the ambitious ‘Light Up Abia’ project.

Governor Otti made this disclosure on Thursday during the October edition of the Monthly Media Parley tagged: “Governor Alex Otti Speaks.”

He further revealed that the state’s proposal to acquire the Umuahia ring-fenced area from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) had been accepted, a development that marks a new era in Abia’s power autonomy and infrastructural advancement.

According to the Governor, the landmark deal will ensure stable electricity supply across nine Local Government Areas, while also enabling Aba Power to distribute surplus power throughout the state.

In his words, “We have installed close to 8,000 solar-powered street lights. You will see us lighting up your areas, and you will agree with me that anywhere light comes, darkness disappears.”

The Governor explained that Aba and Umuahia would serve as key energy hubs in the new power architecture. 

“Aba is an island and Umuahia is an island. Umuahia takes care of Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, and Umunneochi. When Aba Power generates maximum capacity of about 188 megawatts, excess power will be sent to Umuahia. In the next few months, we envisage steady power supply,” he added.

Governor Otti further noted that work is currently ongoing to ensure uninterrupted electricity in Bende and Ohafia, adding that Abia’s tertiary institutions have also had their electricity supply restored.

The ‘Light Up Abia’ initiative, a flagship project of the Otti administration, is fast transforming the state’s urban and rural landscapes, enhancing security, extending commercial hours, and improving residents’ quality of life.

With the new EEDC acquisition and power distribution reforms, Abia State appears poised to become one of the first subnational entities in Nigeria to achieve near self-sufficiency in power generation and distribution, a major leap towards Governor Otti’s vision of building a modern, industrialized, and energy-secure Abia.