Governor Alex Otti of Abia has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering uninterrupted electricity across Abia State through strategic partnerships and bold reforms in the power sector.
Governor Otti made this known while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engineer Jennifer Adighije, and her delegation during a high-level meeting in his office.
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Otti described electricity as one of the most critical drivers of economic growth, industrial productivity, healthcare delivery, education, and overall quality of life, stressing that his administration prioritized stable power supply upon assumption of office in 2023.
“Power is one of the most important infrastructures for driving growth in any economy. Production depends on power. Life itself depends on power. Schools, hospitals, everybody requires power,” Governor Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive commended the leadership of NDPHC for successfully restoring the 450MW Alaoji Open Circuit Power Plant after extensive remedial works and settlement of outstanding obligations with gas suppliers.
“We want to congratulate you and thank you again for bringing the Alaoji plant back to life. Generating close to 400 megawatts is a major achievement,” Governor Otti noted.
Governor Otti said that the seamless evacuation capacity along the Alaoji corridor presents a significant opportunity for Abia State, particularly the Umuahia ring-fenced power market, which the State government is actively developing.
Governor Otti disclosed that the State government has already entered into an agreement with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to acquire and take over electricity distribution assets covering Umuahia through Arochukwu and Umunneochi and the rest Local Government Areas as part of efforts to strengthen energy independence and improve power delivery across the State.
“That agreement has been signed and we are now at the payment stage. Once completed, and with the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency, we will have the framework necessary to drive efficient power distribution within the State,” the Governor added.
Governor Otti further emphasized the State’s readiness to partner with NDPHC to wheel electricity directly from the Alaoji power plant to Umuahia and surrounding communities, describing the arrangement as “a low-hanging fruit” capable of rapidly transforming economic activities in the area.
The Governor also highlighted ongoing investments in renewable energy and mini-grid projects across the State, noting that Abia is strategically positioning itself to achieve sustainable and reliable electricity supply through a diversified energy mix.
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC, Engineer Jennifer Adighije, informed the Governor that the company had successfully restored three generating units at the Alaoji power plant, making approximately 375MW currently available for dispatch to the national grid.
She explained that the plant had been shut down since 2023 following discrepancies in gas metering and trading points, which led to supply disruptions and accumulated debts. However, under her leadership, the company undertook extensive electromechanical and gas-line remediation works, while also clearing outstanding obligations owed to TotalEnergies.
Engineer Adighije praised Governor Otti’s reforms in the electricity sector, especially the Aba ring-fenced power model and the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency, describing the State as one of the leading sub-national governments driving electricity market reforms in Nigeria.
She expressed NDPHC’s readiness to partner with Abia State under the new Electricity Act framework to ensure reliable electricity supply for households, industries, and commercial clusters across the state.
“As the largest power generation company in Nigeria with over 4,000 megawatts installed capacity, we are aggressively pursuing strategic partnerships with State governments and eligible customers. We believe Abia State presents a strong and viable partnership opportunity,” she maintained.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu were present during the visit.
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