NEWS
#ICYMI: ASERA Holds Public Consultation on Draft Electricity Regulations to Shape Abia’s Emerging Power Market
The Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) has convened a public consultation session on its draft electricity regulations, drawing inputs from consumers, industry stakeholders, and key sector players as part of ongoing efforts to develop a robust working document that will guide the state’s evolving electricity market.
The engagement, held on Thursday at Sun Heaven Hotels, Umuahia, forms a critical part of the regulatory process aimed at aligning ASERA’s framework with the electricity reform agenda of the Abia State Government and ensuring that the system reflects the needs of all stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Alex Otti-led administration to building an inclusive and world-class electricity market that serves all categories of consumers across the state.
He stressed that transparency remains a central pillar of the government’s reform agenda in the power sector, describing the consultation as a reflection of that principle.
“You know, this event shows the transparency that we are putting together in building the electricity market.
“One of our key targets and one of the directives of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti OFR is that we build a world-class electricity market that works for our people.
“So we are building a market that everybody will be a key player. And like they say, the customer is the king, So it’s not just the key player, but the customer is a very critical stakeholder,“ Engr. Monday stated.
Engr. Monday commended ASERA for its work on the draft regulations, noting that the consultation was essential for gathering feedback from consumers who remain central to the success of the electricity reform process.
He explained that reliable electricity access remains a key enabler of socioeconomic development under Governor Otti’s administration, adding that significant progress is already being recorded.
According to him, Aba Power and Geometric Group have, within the last six months, deployed over one hundred and twenty thousand meters to households within their coverage area, while efforts are underway to replicate similar achievements across other local government areas in the state.
Delivering a keynote address, the Chairman of the Abia State Electricity Advisory Council, Dr. Sam Amadi, highlighted the importance of the engagement in strengthening service delivery, building consumer trust, and improving regulatory accountability within the electricity sector.
He noted that the consultation focuses on efficient electricity service delivery, strengthening consumer confidence in regulatory decisions, and ensuring the swift and fair resolution of consumer complaints.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of ASERA, Mr. Emeka Onyegbule, explained that the consultation was designed as a collaborative platform to engage stakeholders in shaping a functional regulatory framework that aligns with the Governor’s vision for the electricity sector.
“We have gathered to rob minds, and to also open up ourselves to public scrutiny in terms of what we are doing at the authority and what we stand as a people, as customers, to benefit from what we are doing because we know if we stay in our offices we can make these regulations.
“But without getting input from critical partners like you, that regulation may not succeed. So it’s going to be a room, you can call it an incubation room where ideas would be put forward, challenged, and at the end of the day we will be able to have documents that can help us work and achieve the objectives of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti in the power sector,“ Mr. Onyegbule stated.
He added that the consultation would ultimately produce a guiding framework for operators, service providers, and consumers, while reaffirming ASERA’s commitment to building a transparent, efficient, investor-friendly, and customer-centered electricity market capable of driving economic growth.
Mr. Onyegbule further described the session as a major milestone in the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and the Abia State Electricity Law 2025.
“So today marks a very significant milestone in the implementation of the electricity bill, electricity act 2023, and the IPA state’s electricity law 2025.
“By way of background, there is an act at the federal level that was amended in 2023 that created the state’s electricity markets.
“Now the IPA state’s electricity law 2025 drew its strength from that law to create ASERA and to create IPA state’s electricity markets.
“Both laws have established the legal framework for sub-electricity, sub-national electricity regulation and market development in our dear state, Abia.
“As a statutory regulator of the IPA state’s electricity market, ASERA is committed to building a transparent, efficient, investor-friendly, and customer-focused electricity sector that is capable of supporting our economic growth aspirations and improved service delivery across the state.
“We want to make our markets a market of destinations where investors can have confidence in what we are doing and some of you investors here can testify that we are making efforts to bring you on board and also to be customer-focused,“ Mr Onyegbule noted.
Contributing, the Lead Consultant on Power to the Nigerian Governors Forum, Mr. Odion Omonfoman, described the establishment of ASERA as a significant milestone in Abia’s electricity market reform, emphasizing that the durability of regulatory frameworks depends on public scrutiny and stakeholder validation.
He noted that the Nigerian Governors Forum recognizes that the success of decentralized electricity markets depends on fair, commercially viable, and consumer-protective regulations.
According to him, the public consultation sets a new benchmark for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance within Abia’s electricity sector, while commending ASERA for its swift and transparent implementation of the Electricity Act and the state electricity law.
The event attracted a wide range of participants, including government officials such as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Engr. Kingsley Etuluo; the Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau of Abia State, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka; as well as electricity sector stakeholders, investors, and consumers who actively participated in the discussions.